Intro to Achievement Standard Stats

Change in Course.

This marks the point of the year where we are departing from our numeracy (portfolio) standards of Number, Measurement and Statistics.  I will still be accumulating more evidence from you in these areas but not setting specific work for them.  

The standards that I'm aiming to do over the remainder of the year are...

Box n Whisker (aka Box Plot)

1.  91035 Multivariate Data (internal) worth 4 credits.  This is based on box and whisker graphs (see the picture) and goes through the same PPDAC system (setting a context, collecting data, drawing stem n leaf graphs, drawing dot plots + box n whisker, calculating statistics, making observations and writing a conclusion).   This is a Level One Standard 

Scatter Plot Graph

2.  91036 Bivariate Data (internal) worth 3 credits.  This is based on scatter graphs.  But goes through the same as multivariate... PPDAC system (setting a context, collecting data, drawing stem n leaf graphs, drawing dot plots + scatter graph, calculating statistics, making observations and writing a conclusion).   This too is a Level One Standard 

These level one standards I hope we have some 'merit' grades from our class.  I will teach these topics to that upper level.

example of a mathematical network.  

3.  91260 Networks (internal) worth 2 credits.  This is a unique level two maths paper as it's not based upon any prior knowledge (basically networks is about moving across a map).  For this standard you will learn from scratch.  The credits will count for 2015 and next year level two.  This is the least challenging of the level two standards and is not an indication of the challenge in level two maths.  If you want to do level two maths you will need to do full Achievement Standard level one first.  

Depending on the classes success here will determine if we attempt a level one or level two internal probably standard.  I will indicate this to you well in advance.  Potentially another 2/3 credits.

PPDAC

Statistical Inquiry Cycle
A very common thing for all people to know is how to compare groups.  If I said which fish is bigger, snapper from Waihi or snapper from Whitianga?  I would expect you to approach the problem in a systematic way.  

We call this the "Statistical Inquiry Cycle" and it's summed up in the acronym PPDAC [you absolutely must learn this].  It is a way of approaching the answer correctly.  

In statistics there rarely is the right answer.  Say if we said the that average year 9 at Waihi College weighed 53.4kg.  It would be very unlikely that the a randomly selected student would actually weigh 53.4kg.  

PPDAC stands for...

• P roblem
• P lan
• D ata
• A nalysis
• C onclusion

Here is the summary poster that shows how PPDAC is a cycle that repeats upon itself.  It was invented by Auckland University Statistics Department and is the cornerstone of NCEA Stats - you can get about 50 NCEA credits directly from being good at PPDAC.