Unit 3 – Problem Solving A01 Define a statistical problem to be investigated

March 2012 M Morison 2 Introduction Project Deadlines 4: Objectives/Success Criteria Defining the problem 2: Explain the background 3: Set a hypothesis 1.Identifying the problem 5: Data collection/processing DPA Considerations Pass Merit Distinction Useful resources Research Terms Types of Data

 define a statistical problem to be investigated  design and carry out a data collection activity  collect data and use spreadsheet software to store the data March 2012 M Morison 3  use spreadsheet software for data analysis  create suitable graphs/charts  present the results of the study.

 …is about investigating a ‘problem’.  You will consider what you are going to investigate, set a hypothesis, collect data and analyse it before presenting the results of your investigation. March 2012 M Morison 4

Assessment / Task Submission Date A01 - Define a statistical Problem to be investigated Monday March 19th A02 - Design and Carry Out a data collection activity Monday April 2nd A03 - Collect Data and Store in a SpreadsheetMonday April 23rd A04 - Create a suitable spreadsheet to analyse the data Monday May 7th A05 - Create suitable graphs / charts Monday May 21st A06 - Present Findings to an Audience You will be assigned a presentation time during the week beginning May 21st Full assignment hand in Friday June 1st March 2012 M Morison 5

 Needs 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 Morison 6March 2012

 Social issues  Moral trends  Usage of ICT across generations  Opinions regarding current affairs  What ICT is used for  Media, TV and music  Health topics  Careers and the future M Morison 7March 2012

 After deciding on a topic, theme or area you must research the field before posing a question to investigate  Start broad and general and then focus down to the specifics  Reference anything you use  Your opinion doesn’t count!  Explore both sides to any argument M Morison 8March 2012

 The first step is to identify the problem and describe it.  What might have caused the situation to come about?  Are there any contraindications? March 2012 M Morison 9

 The local Health Trust needs more information on the amount of exercise children are engaged in because of the effect this may have on their health now and in the future. You are going to investigate this. March 2012 M Morison 10

 No matter how you do your research, you MUST record your sources and make notes.  One way to start is to use the internet to find out some of the main issues. Read the information and note any further sources on related sites.  Also use existing surveys and publications. March 2012 M Morison 11

 If or how factors such as location, education, gender and age group might affect the result.  For example, activities that children engage in, such as swimming, football, horse riding etc. March 2012 M Morison 12

 When 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 2012 M Morison 13

 When explaining the background, for example, consider why the Health Trust might think that kids aren’t getting enough exercise  What are their concerns?  Are more children being seen by doctors?  Are more of them seriously overweight?  Are there any links or trends? March 2012 M Morison 14

 Knowing what happened in the past will enable you to explore and understand issues and relationships.  What was the situation in the past?  Were there any differences in specific areas eg gender or age? March 2012 M Morison 15

 You 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 2012 M Morison 16

 A 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 2012 M Morison 17

 Should be written before the data collection/analysis  It must be testable  Should be carefully formulated  “children who participate in sports may be healthier than those who don’t” OR  “children who participate in sports are healthier than those who don’t” March 2012 M Morison 18

 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 relationship  Eg “If the frequency of winning is related to the frequency of training, then those who train more will win more often” March 2012 M Morison 19

 By now you should have decided what you want to investigate  You need to make SPECIFIC predictions about what the outcome of your investigation will be  It has to be testable by the gathering of data  Directive Hypotheses (one tailed) state what the outcome will be  Two Tailed Hypotheses state 2 alternative outcomes (either, or) M Morison 20March 2012

 First 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 2012 M Morison 21

 Specific – 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 achievement March 2012 M Morison 22

 Include as wide a range and variety as possible  Don’t simply gather data to prove your point  Gather the data, then analyse it, then make your point March 2012 M Morison 23

 Don’t 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 2012 M Morison 24

 Do you want to calculate averages for each group?  Will you summarise results using percentages?  Or display data as single data points? March 2012 M Morison 25

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 How 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 2012 M Morison 27  Will you use charts & graphs etc to help you analyse the data & patterns?

 You 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  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 2012 M Morison 28

 NHS  NHS Statistics: All sorts of statistical analysis of NHS data NHS Statistics  Department of Health Reports: A range of statistical and other reports Department of Health Reports March 2012 M Morison 29

Spreadsheets  Spreadsheet Techniques: self study of using spreadsheets Spreadsheet Techniques Survey Technique  How to do a survey: get advice using this guide from statpac How to do a survey Presenting Data in Tables  Example 1: Dental Care in Children Example 1 March 2012 M Morison 30

 Health Inequalities - Office of National Statistics Health Inequalities  Drug Poisioning Deaths - Yuk Drug Poisioning Deaths  Cancer Survival Cancer Survival  Family Income Family Income March 2012 M Morison 31

 Microsoft’s own advice: not a bad start for some ideas Microsoft’s own advice  Top 10 Tips: for presentations not to suck! Top 10 Tips  Create a killer presentation: well - not a real killer of course Create a killer presentation  Life after Death by Powerpoint - Youtube Clip Life after Death by Powerpoint  Killer Presentation Skills - Youtube Clip Killer Presentation Skills  Test Link Test Link March 2012 M Morison 32

 Variable –characteristic/property of person, object or situation  Quantitative Variable –measurable i.e. height, weight, IQ  Qualitative Variable –categories such as sex, nationality, blood type  Independent variable (IV) –what is being manipulated by the experimenter  Dependent variable (DV) –what is being measured during the experiment, supposedly influenced by the IV M Morison 33March 2012

 Extraneous Variable –outside scope of control that could influence outcomes  Correlation –exploring affect of 2 variables in a statistical test DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION!  Between subjects factors –participant is tested under only 1 condition  Within Subjects –same participants perform under both conditions (also termed repeated measures) M Morison 34March 2012

 1) interval data –measurements on independent scale with units  2) ordinal data –ranks/sequencing of information  3)nominal/categorical data –qualitative categories M Morison 35March 2012

 Quantitative –measurable statistically, countable, i.e. closed question surveys, multiple choice, test conditions, empirical, scientific  Qualitative –observation notes, open questioning, discourse analysis, transcript analysis M Morison 36March 2012

 You must cover all of these points:  identify the problem  explain background to the problem  set a hypothesis e.g. ‘Young people with Internet access at home do better at school’  identify project objectives and success criteria  identify data to be collected and the method(s) of processing  demonstrate an awareness of the Data Protection Act 1998 M Morison 37March 2012

 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 2012 M Morison 38

 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. March 2012 M Morison 39

 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. March 2012 M Morison 40