OCR Nationals Level 3

In this unit you will:define a statistical problem to be investigateddesign and carry out a data collection activitycollect data and use spreadsheet software to store the dataMarch 2012M Morison3use spreadsheet software for data analysiscreate suitable graphs/chartspresent the results of the study.DeadlinesAssessment / TaskSubmission Date

A01 - Define a statistical Problem to be investigatedMonday March 19th

A02 - Design and Carry Out a data collection activityMonday April 2nd

A03 - Collect Data and Store in a SpreadsheetMonday April 23rdA04 - Create a suitable spreadsheet to analyse the dataMonday May 7th

A05 - Create suitable graphs / chartsMonday May 21stA06 - Present Findings to an Audience

You will be assigned a presentation time during the week beginning May 21stFull assignment hand in Friday June 1stMarch 2012M Morison5

Project Objectives & Success CriteriaFirst decide what you are trying to do by carrying out this project.Limit your objectives to keep your project focused.Outline the criteria for identifying whether the objectives have been met.Write a project objective that will be evaluated at the end, and used in your presentation.Use SMART objectives.

March 2012M Morison21Defining the ProblemNeeds to be something that you can easily test (think in terms of access to participants and data)Have a look at current events for inspiration or.M Morison6March 2012

Step 2: Explain the background to the problemWhen you have carried out the background research, identify the main points of what has happened to cause the new circumstances you are going to examine.March 2012M Morison13

3: Setting a hypothesisA hypothesis is a statement that proposes a possible explanation for some fact, event or trend.It is either a suggested explanation for the fact, or a reasoned proposal suggesting a possible relationship.March 2012M Morison17

Some ideas:Social issuesMoral trendsUsage of ICT across generationsOpinions regarding current affairsWhat ICT is used forMedia, TV and music Health topicsCareers and the futureM Morison7March 2012Defining the Problem (2)After deciding on a topic, theme or area you must research the field before posing a question to investigateStart broad and general and then focus down to the specificsReference anything you useYour opinion doesnt count!Explore both sides to any argumentM Morison8March 2012Data Protection ConsiderationsYou are going to collect and use data from real people in this unit.It is important that you know how to deal with this data under the terms of the DPA 1988.You must include a section that demonstrates how your work is affected by the DPA, and the measures you will take to comply with it.March 2012M Morison28

Pass Candidates will describe the background to the problem. They will set a simple hypothesis and list some criteria to be used to test it. They will identify some of the data that needs to be collected and briefly explain how it will be processed. They will demonstrate an understanding of Data Protection legislation and give a brief explanation of how they will comply with this.

March 2012M Morison38Merit Candidates will clearly describe the background to the problem. They will set a complex hypothesis and clearly describe criteria that will be used to test it. They will identify the data that needs to be collected and explain how it will be processed. They will demonstrate an understanding of Data Protection legislation and explain how they will comply with this.

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Distinction Candidates will explain thoroughly the background to the problem. They will set a complex hypothesis and clearly describe and justify the criteria that will be used to test it. They will identify the data that needs to be collected and explain clearly how it will be processed. They will demonstrate an understanding of Data Protection legislation and explain how they will comply with this.

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Useful resourcesNHSNHS Statistics: All sorts of statistical analysis of NHS dataDepartment of Health Reports: A range of statistical and other reports

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Some Research TermsVariable characteristic/property of person, object or situationQuantitative Variable measurable i.e. height, weight, IQQualitative Variable categories such as sex, nationality, blood typeIndependent variable (IV) what is being manipulated by the experimenterDependent variable (DV) what is being measured during the experiment, supposedly influenced by the IVM Morison33March 2012Types of Data 1) interval data measurements on independent scale with units2) ordinal data ranks/sequencing of information3)nominal/categorical data qualitative categoriesM Morison35March 2012

In our exampleYou could examine the issue of the amount of exercise taken.Explain the purpose of the research.Include an explanation of what is known now.March 2012M Morison16

Your hypothesisShould be written before the data collection/analysisIt must be testableShould be carefully formulatedchildren who participate in sports may be healthier than those who dontORchildren who participate in sports are healthier than those who dont

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A hypothesis should contain two variables:An independent variable (something that you control)A dependent variable (something that you observe and test)

Use the words If and Then and state a tentative relationshipEg If the frequency of winning is related to the frequency of training, then those who train more will win more often

March 2012M Morison19Your HypothesisBy now you should have decided what you want to investigateYou need to make SPECIFIC predictions about what the outcome of your investigation will beIt has to be testable by the gathering of dataDirective Hypotheses (one tailed) state what the outcome will beTwo Tailed Hypotheses state 2 alternative outcomes (either, or)M Morison20March 2012

SMART objectivesSpecific what, where and how the project is to be addressed Measurable how much, how many, how long etc.Action-oriented : deliver, establish, supply etc.Realistic can the result actually be achieved?Timed includes a specific date for achievementMarch 2012M Morison22

For example:Dont just ask children about the sports they do: ask the adults who run these events too.Have numbers of participants increased or decreased?How are these figures broken down?Do more boys participate than girls?Does participation change with age?Are there reasons for this drop-off?March 2012M Morison24

ProcessingDo you want to calculate averages for each group?Will you summarise results using percentages?Or display data as single data points?March 2012M Morison25Think about March 2012M Morison26

The resultsHow will you present your results?Your conclusions will summarise whether or not your results support or contradict your original hypothesis.How will you include key facts from your background research?March 2012M Morison27Will you use charts & graphs etc to help you analyse the data & patterns?SpreadsheetsSpreadsheet Techniques: self study of using spreadsheetsSurvey TechniqueHow to do a survey: get advice using this guide from statpacPresenting Data in TablesExample 1: Dental Care in Children

March 2012M Morison30NHS Style ChartsHealth Inequalities - Office of National StatisticsDrug Poisioning Deaths - YukCancer SurvivalFamily Income

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Presentation TechniquesMicrosofts own advice: not a bad start for some ideasTop 10 Tips: for presentations not to suck!Create a killer presentation: well - not a real killer of courseLife after Death by Powerpoint - Youtube Clip

Killer Presentation Skills - Youtube ClipTest Link

March 2012M Morison32More Research TermsExtraneous Variable outside scope of control that could influence outcomesCorrelation exploring affect of 2 variables in a statistical test DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION!Between subjects factors participant is tested under only 1 conditionWithin Subjects same participants perform under both conditions (also termed repeated measures)

M Morison34March 2012All investigations are eitherQuantitative measurable statistically, countable, i.e. closed question surveys, multiple choice, test conditions, empirical, scientificQualitative observation notes, open questioning, discourse analysis, transcript analysisM Morison36March 2012To complete A01

You must cover all of these points:identify the problemexplain background to the problemset a hypothesis e.g. Young people with Internet access at home do better at schoolidentify project objectives and success criteriaidentify data to be collected and the method(s) of processingdemonstrate an awareness of the Data Protection Act 1998M Morison37March 2012