Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question and accounts for it in the answers.
In plain words: Students recognize questions that expect variability in the data, like "How old are the students in my school?", and distinguish them from questions like "How old am I?".
Quick picks
- Common mistake
- Calling any question about numbers statistical: "How many pets do I have?" asks for one fixed count, not data expected to vary.
Example Problems
An animal shelter recorded details about dogs available for adoption.
Who or what are the individuals in this data set?
| Dog | Age (years) | Weight (lb) | Breed | Shots? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy | 4 | 52 | mixed | yes |
| Luna | 1 | 18 | terrier | no |
| Duke | 7 | 68 | labrador | yes |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Who or what are the individuals in this data set?
An airport analyst logged details for several flights today.
Who or what are the individuals in this data set?
| Flight | Distance (mi) | Duration (min) | Gate | On-time? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA 1387 | 965 | 142 | B12 | yes |
| DL 220 | 403 | 76 | D5 | no |
| UA 781 | 2460 | 310 | C7 | yes |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Who or what are the individuals in this data set?
A registrar compiled information about courses offered this term.
How many variables are in this data set?
| Course | Credits | Enrollment | Department | Online? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 120 | 4 | 132 | Biology | no |
| MATH 241 | 4 | 88 | Mathematics | yes |
| HIST 210 | 3 | 41 | History | no |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
How many variables are in this data set?
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