Stuck? Start here. Read the steps, try the problem, then check your answer.
I can…
I can tell the difference between a statistical question and a non-statistical question.
Key words
Statistical Questions and Data — A statistical question expects varied answers that can be collected as data.
Statistical Question — A question answered with data that are expected to vary.
Non-statistical Question — A question that does not anticipate variability in the data used to answer it. It may ask for one fact or measurement.
Data — Facts and numbers you collect, like answers to a survey.
Variability — How spread out the numbers are.
Survey — Collecting facts by asking people questions.
Data distribution — How the data looks: where it sits and how spread out it is.
Dot plot — A number line with one dot for each data value.
Steps
Question 1: "How many points did our top player score last night?" There is one player and one game, so there is one fixed answer, like 18 points.
One answer, no variety, so this is NOT a statistical question.
Question 2: "How many points does each player score per game?" The answers vary: 8, 12, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22.
Because the answers are different for different players, I must collect data. This IS a statistical question.
Try it
Maya wants to learn about the families on her street. Which of these is a statistical question?
Check your answer
How many pets does each family on Maya's street have?
"How many pets does each family on Maya's street have?" is statistical because different families have different numbers of pets — the data has variability.
Sentence starter
I know ___ because ___.
Goal: I can explain my reasoning using the words statistical question, data, variability, and survey.