Analyse patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies — AC9S9I05

• Describe patterns and trends using variables, direction and data values.
• Identify relationships without automatically claiming causation.
• Recognise and investigate anomalies rather than deleting them automatically.
• Connect multiple datasets/information sources to build a stronger explanation.

Read tables and graphs, calculate simple summaries, identify variables and understand that measurements include uncertainty and variation.

A strong trend statement names both variables, direction and evidence: “As temperature increased from 20°C to 50°C, mean reaction time decreased from …”. Relationships can be positive, negative, non-linear or absent. A relationship alone does not prove that changing one variable caused the other.

An anomaly is a result that does not fit the broader pattern. It may be a measurement problem, natural variation or important new evidence. Check records and repeat where appropriate before deciding how to treat it. Connecting independent data sources can strengthen or complicate a conclusion.

• Correlation proves causation. Competing explanations may produce the pattern.
• Anomalies should always be removed. Investigate them first.
• A trend description needs no numbers. Quantification makes analysis testable and precise.
• No obvious trend means useless data. Absence of a relationship can be scientifically informative.

1. Upgrade “the graph rises” into a quantified trend statement.
2. Identify an anomaly in a small dataset.
3. List two possible explanations for the anomaly.
4. Rewrite a causal claim as an association claim where the design is observational.

1. Describe a positive relationship using named variables.
2. Describe a non-linear trend.
3. Identify and investigate one anomalous point.
4. Compare results from two datasets.
5. State whether a dataset supports causation and justify.
6. Write a conclusion that includes pattern, evidence and one limitation.

Dataset A shows a strong relationship between two variables; Dataset B from another location shows a weaker relationship and two anomalies. Construct the most defensible combined conclusion and propose one follow-up test that could distinguish a genuine contextual difference from measurement problems.

1. What makes a trend statement strong? Variables, direction, range and quantitative evidence.
2. What is an anomaly? A result inconsistent with the broader pattern that warrants investigation.
3. Does a relationship prove causation? No; design and competing variables matter.
4. Why connect datasets? Independent evidence can reveal consistency, context dependence or conflict.

1. Analyse a supplied graph and write a quantified trend statement.
   Name variables and use at least one numerical comparison.
2. Evaluate an anomalous result and propose the next action.
   Do not delete automatically; check evidence and repeat where justified.
3. Decide whether a reported relationship justifies a causal conclusion.
   Use the investigation design and possible confounders.

• I quantify trends.
• I investigate anomalies.
• I distinguish association from causation.
• I connect evidence sources.

Exit ticket: Write one sentence that reports a relationship without overclaiming causation.

Australian Curriculum v9.0 — AC9S9I05: analyse/connect data to identify patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies.

Victoria Levels 9–10 — VC2S10I05: Exact.

NSW Stage 5 — SC5-WS-06: Exact analyses data to identify trends, patterns and relationships and draw conclusions.

• AC9S9I04 representation
• AC9S9I06 evaluation

• Australian Curriculum v9.0
• Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0
• NSW Science 7–10 Syllabus (2023)

Curriculum equivalents for Analyse and connect a variety of data and information to...

Mapped skill: analyse and connect a variety of data and information to identify and explain patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies

These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.

Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.