Research Methods - Making Sense Of Data

Question 0

Define: descriptive statistics

Answer 0

Used for summarising and describing results, eg averages

Question 1

Define: statistics

Answer 1

Mathematical procedures used to summarise and interpret results from research

Question 2

Define: inferential statistics

Answer 2

Used for interpreting and giving meaning to results

Question 3

What are percentages used for?

Answer 3

Calculating a proportion out of 100, to describe data

Question 4

What are the conventions for labelling tables and graphs?

Answer 4

Should be numbered as Table 1, Graph 2 etc
Clear title, italicised if typed
Columns must (and rows should) have headings, first letter capitalised
X and Y axes labelled

Question 5

What is the purpose of tables?

Answer 5

To summarise descriptive statistics in a way that can be interpreted

Question 6

Define: graphs

Answer 6

A pictorial representation of data

Question 7

What are the differences between bar charts and histograms?

Answer 7

Bar charts represent categorical data, histograms represent numerical data
There is a gap between each bar on bar charts, the are none in histograms
The bars of bar charts are smaller than the categories, allowing for gaps, whereas histograms begin each category on each line

Question 8

How do you change the percentage of something to degrees on a pie chart?

Answer 8

% x 360°

Question 9

Define: line graph

Answer 9

Pictorial representation of x and y variables

Like what we’re doing in maths

Question 10

Define: frequency polygon

Answer 10

Combination of a line graph and a histogram; shows frequency of data using a line graph.

Question 11

How do you draw a frequency polygon?

Answer 11

Start at the line of the x axis, then go halfway through the category and begin drawing dots. Always in the middle of category. Then end at end of the x axis, on the line.