Paper 4 guide

Question 1

What is the structure of the Paper 4 exam?

Answer 1

2 30 mark questions, mainly data analysis

Question 2

What is a divided bar graph used for, and what does it look like?

Answer 2

a bar that shows the proportional size of each category in a particular data set

Question 3

What is a histogram used for, and what does it look like?

Answer 3

uses bars to show the frequency/frequency density of data items in adjacent quantitative variable intervals of same/different size

Question 4

What is a wind-rose graph? What does it look like?

Answer 4

characterises the speed and direction of winds at a location in a circular format

Question 5

What are isoline graphs? Give an example:

Answer 5

lines drawn on a map connecting data points of the same value, like altitude

Question 6

What are triangular graphs for? Show an example:

Answer 6

-displays data which relates 3 variables simultaneously that are often percentages of a whole

-also known as a ternary graph

Question 7

How do you plot a ternary/triangular graph?

Answer 7

read along the line that is 60° to the axis, up from the increasing direction

Question 8

What are radial graphs for? How are they similar to rose graphs?

Answer 8

-showing multiple variables as a distance from a centre point on the same graph

-rose graphs use bars rather than lines

Question 9

What is a dispersion graph for? How is it different to a scatter plot?

Answer 9

-displays the spread or dispersion of a single variable within a data set (like a distribution graph), eg test results within a class

-scatter plots show the relationship between 2 variables rather than 1, eg weight and height

Question 10

What is a choropleth map?

Answer 10

a map that divides regions into separate coloured areas, to allow for the visualisation of data

Question 11

What are kite diagrams for?

Answer 11

comparing frequencies of different observed data along the same transect line

Question 12

What are pictograms?

Answer 12

uses pictures to represent data in a simple way, where each picture represents some value

Question 13

What is a hypothesis? Name the 2 types:

Answer 13

-a statement/prediction that forms the basis of an enquiry

null, H₀ - predicts there is no relationship between 2 variables

research, H₁ - predicts there is a relationship

Question 14

How do you answer hypothesis questions?

Answer 14

-say the hypothesis is correct/incorrect/partially correct
-use supporting data to backup the response with the following:

-general pattern
-anomalies (if present)
-specific patterns + data points

(GAS)

Question 15

Name and describe the 3 types of sampling:

Answer 15

-random (avoids bias)
-systematic (eg every 5th car is recorded, avoids bias)
-stratified (usually combined with the other 2)

Stratified is explained on another flashcard

Question 16

Explain stratified sampling, and give an example:

Answer 16

-dividing a population based on certain characteristics, and then taking a sample size in such a way that the proportions of the subgroup in the sample is equal to the proportions of the subgroup in the overall population
-this is done to ensure a representative view of the whole city

-eg if a population contains 25% French people, then the sample size must also contain 25% French people

Question 17

What does an oval indicate on a flow chart?

Answer 17

a start/end to a process

Question 18

What does a parallelogram indicate on a flow chart?

Answer 18

an input/output

Question 19

What does a rectangle indicate on a flow chart?

Answer 19

a process (any action, eg turn off light switch)

Question 20

What does a diamond indicate on a flow chart?

Answer 20

a decision that branches the flowchart into 2 or more separate flowcharts

basically selection in programming

Question 21

What is a pilot study, and what does it allow you to do?

Answer 21

-a trial run in survey research
-allows you to learn how to work safely and practise fieldwork techniques

Question 22

How would a sample size be representative?

Answer 22

it is representative if the data collected from the sample size reflects the entire population accurately

Question 23

What does it mean for a study to be reliable?

Answer 23

it is reliable if it is consistent (ie the results can be reproduced under the same conditions)

Question 24

What is validity, and how could a study be valid?

Answer 24

-the degree to which a measurement/device can actually measure what you are claiming it can measure

-it is valid if under scrutiny, it is found to be accurate, precise, reliable, and representative

Question 25

What are some common requirements for asking people to complete a questionnaire?

Answer 25

-explain purpose of the survey
-be polite (accept that some people won’t want to do the survey)
-don’t work in large groups, only 2-3
-use a sampling method, eg every 5th person you see

Question 26

How can a data collection method or survey be improved?

Answer 26

-do counts more regularly (eg every 15 minutes)
-do counts in more locations
-do counts on different days of the week
-have multiple groups do the same survey and calculate an average