Acquire, validate and represent data for nominal and ordinal categorical and discrete numerical variables, to address a question of interest or purpose using software including spreadsheets

Students distinguish variable types, collect and clean data, identify the mode and describe clusters, gaps, spread and possible extremes in relation to the question.

The collection method, variable type and measurement precision determine what conclusions the data can support.

Discrete data are counted; continuous data are measured and can take values between recorded points depending on precision.

The mode is the most frequent value or category. Describe concentration and spread in context without implying cause.

Learning routine: Represent → Reason → Calculate → Interpret → Verify

Success looks like

• Construct or represent accurately
• Use correct vocabulary and notation
• Interpret relationships
• Apply to a new example
• Justify and evaluate

Content description: acquire, validate and represent data for nominal and ordinal categorical and discrete numerical variables, to address a question of interest or purpose using software including spreadsheets; discuss and report on data distributions in terms of highest frequency (mode) and shape, in the context of the data.

• E1: recognising that ordinal data is a form of categorical data even though the data being collected might be numbers; for example, a rating scale using numbers 1 - 5 to represent the categories people can choose from when asked, “What rating would you give this film out of 5?”
• E2: determining the mode for a set of data and discussing that there may be more than one mode
• E3: identifying the best methods of presenting data to illustrate the results of investigations and justifying the choice of representations
• E4: acquiring data through chance experiments, discussing and reporting on the distribution of outcomes and how this relates to equal and unequal outcomes
• E5: using digital systems to validate data; for example, recognising the difference between numerical, text and date formats in spreadsheets; setting data types in a spreadsheet to make sure a date is input correctly
• E6: exploring how travel and online shopping websites and apps collect ordinal data from users to provide customer satisfaction and popularity ratings, and how they use recommendation algorithms to assist customers in travel planning or retail purchasing
• E7: investigating data relating to Australia’s reconciliation process with First Nations Australians, posing questions, discussing and reporting on findings

Core idea: The collection method, variable type and measurement precision determine what conclusions the data can support.

Remember

• Construct or represent accurately
• Use correct vocabulary and notation
• Interpret relationships
• Apply to a new example
• Justify and evaluate

Important questions

• Classify a variable. Explain using the model or evidence above.
• Find a mode. Explain using the model or evidence above.
• Describe a cluster. Explain using the model or evidence above.
• Check measurement precision. Explain using the model or evidence above.
• Name a cleaning step. Explain using the model or evidence above.

• All numbers called continuous — Counts remain discrete even when large.
• Mode assumed to exist uniquely — A data set may have several modes or none.
• Shape described without context — State what the values represent.
• Digital collection accepted without cleaning — Check duplicates, missing values and units.

Learn from the Topic Guide and fixed Teacher Slides, complete the Practice Sheet, use Practice for supported feedback, then take the Test when ready.

Students distinguish variable types, collect and clean data, identify the mode and describe clusters, gaps, spread and possible extremes in relation to the question.

The collection method, variable type and measurement precision determine what conclusions the data can support.

Discrete data are counted; continuous data are measured and can take values between recorded points depending on precision.

The mode is the most frequent value or category. Describe concentration and spread in context without implying cause.

Learning routine: Represent → Reason → Calculate → Interpret → Verify

Success looks like

• Construct or represent accurately
• Use correct vocabulary and notation
• Interpret relationships
• Apply to a new example
• Justify and evaluate

Australian Curriculum Version 9.0

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