Lesson 2: Analyzing Your Data

About 30 minutes — Activity-based lesson

What You Will Learn

This lesson covers:

Organizing data into tables
Calculating key statistics: mean, max, min, range
Looking for patterns, trends, and comparisons
Using spreadsheets to speed up analysis

Organizing data into tables

This section covers the key ideas about organizing data into tables. Discuss with your group or family and explore the concepts together.

Calculating key statistics: mean, max, min, range

This section covers the key ideas about calculating key statistics: mean, max, min, range. Discuss with your group or family and explore the concepts together.

Looking for patterns, trends, and comparisons

This section covers the key ideas about looking for patterns, trends, and comparisons. Discuss with your group or family and explore the concepts together.

Using spreadsheets to speed up analysis

This section covers the key ideas about using spreadsheets to speed up analysis. Discuss with your group or family and explore the concepts together.

Check Your Understanding

1. What statistics should every data report include?

Answer: Mean (average), maximum, minimum, and range at a minimum. If comparing groups, include these for each group.

2. How do you find patterns in your data?

Answer: Look at your frequency tables and graphs. What stands out? What is surprising? Where are the clusters, gaps, or trends?

3. Should you use a spreadsheet?

Answer: Yes, if your data has more than 10-15 entries. Spreadsheets calculate faster and create better graphs. But include hand-drawn elements too if they help explain your thinking.

4. What if your data does not show a clear pattern?

Answer: 'No clear pattern' IS a finding. Not all data has dramatic results. Report what you found honestly — even if it is 'the data shows no significant difference.'

Key Takeaways

Organizing data into tables
Calculating key statistics: mean, max, min, range
Looking for patterns, trends, and comparisons
Using spreadsheets to speed up analysis

Ready for More?

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