6.SP.1: Understanding Statistical Questions and Variability in Data

Grade: 6th Grade

Domain: SP: Statistics and Probability

Standard Description

Recognize a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data related to the question and accounts for it in the answers. For example, “How old am I?” is not a statistical question, but “How old are the students in my school?” is a statistical question because one anticipates variability in students’ ages.

Domain Description

A statistical question foresees changes in data. For instance, "How old are the students in my school?" is a statistical question, but "How old am I?" isn't. The data gathered to solve a statistical question has distribution factors: center, spread, and shape. A number summing up a numerical data set's values signifies the measure of its center, while the variation demonstrates how these values deviate. Data can be shown through dot plots, histograms, and box plots on a number line. The number of observations made should be reported and the attribute's nature under investigation should be described, including its measurement methods and units. Information, like the median and/or mean (measures of center) and the interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation (measures of variability), should be given. Any significant deviations or patterns from the aggregate pattern must be referred to the situation where data were gathered. The measures of center and variability selections are related to the data's distribution shape and the context in which they were collected.