Unit 3 – Problem Solving

1. Unit 3 – Problem Solving Vale Market Research is a large market research company who provides market research solutions to high profile blue chip companies such as British Telecom, Sony, Nokia, and Microsoft. Knowing that Cube Systems Ltd provide software solutions they have approached your manager with a view to signing a contract to provide statistical software solutions for the company in an attempt to streamline their business. They need to be sure that Cube Systems are up to the challenge as getting this wrong will not only mean embarrassment for Vale Market Research but could ruin the business. The Chief Executive Officer Alfred Pennyworth is keen to see what Cube Systems Ltd can do before signing the contract and has set out some guidelines as to what he wants. He requires that you either choose one of the problems he has created or choose one of your own. However this must first be passed by your manager. What Alfred wants is a complete analysis and conclusion of this problem. He needs you to design a data collection method, collect the data then enter the data into a spreadsheet, with correct validation, which then should be used to analysis the data using various statistical methods and graphs. You must then present using presentation software your findings and conclusions you have found.

2. Problems to be investigated: • Young people use the internet too much which affects their grades • Young people do not understand the danger of chat rooms and social networks • Young people play computer games too much • Young people worry about the future • Older people do not understand how to use computers.

3. Spreadsheet skills tasks to complete • Adding messages to data • Hidden data • Protecting cells • Linking sheets • Headers and Footers • Macros tutorial • Data input forms tutorial • Analysing survey data tutorial • Formatting Cells – data types • Validation • Using Lists • All the formula sections • Sorting data • Filtering data • Graphs and charts • Conditional formatting Atain log in: Englishmartyrs Ocrlevel3

4. Knowledge tutorials that will help you complete this unit • Defining a statistical problem • Data collection • Data protection act

5. Ao1 – Define a statistical problem to be investigated • Identify the problem • Explain the background to the problem • Set an hypothesis (e.g. young people with internet access at home do better in school) • Identify project objectives and success criteria • Identify date to be collected and how it will be processed

6. A01 continued…. Carry out research to support your hypothesis using the internet, books and studies. Define the information you need so that they can prove or disapprove your hypothesis. You could get info from existing surveys, publications and social trends, most info will come from primary research e.g. questionnaires. Merit and Distinction need to also consider other factors e.g the age group of the young person. Identify project requirements and success criteria and consider what your spreadsheet needs to do, input, processing and output requirements and the graphs you will make to display your data.

7. Ao2 – Design and carry out a data collection activity • Research method – qualitative, quantitative • Data collection method e.g. questionnaire, data logging equipment • Sample – Random, cluster, quota, frequency, interval and size • Potential errors • Hardware and software required • Collect the data • Store results securely (password protected) • Decide the sample that you want to conduct and explain why • Explain how you are going to collect the sample e.g. Method :Random, Cluster, systematic, frequency. • List some of the constraints associated with your choice of sampling method, e.g. bias, access to data, time, true representation. • Design a questionnaire with appropriate questions, considering your type of question e.g. Open, Closed, Leading, Likert scale 1-10.

8. A02 Continued… Design and implement a data collection strategy. Distinction will also try and consider/use methods of protecting data and the anonymity of the data. Sample method and size should be considered as well as time, and cost. Consider any bias or errors that may happen with the data collection, and write about these. Example evidence – completed questionnaires and a written description of sampling and factors that may affect the quality and reliability of the data collected. Once all the data has been entered into the spreadsheet only a small sample of the questionnaires needs to be shown.

9. A03 – Collect data and store it using a spreadsheet • Create a spreadsheet interface to collect the data e.g. data form or linked worksheet • Use suitable tools to protect the data collected. E.g. password protecting files or locking/protecting cells. • Demo an awareness/understanding of the data protection act 1998

10. A03 Continued… Collect data and store in a spreadsheet. Inputs in spreadsheet need to match inputs from data collection. Consider the design of the spreadsheet e.g. make it look like a form. Consider how the data will be protected from errors or changes later on. If spreadsheet is electronic password protection or cell protection can be checked on line. If hard copies are given then screen prints should be given to show how the cells have been locked/protected. Effective forms will include input messages and macros. Evidence is spreadsheet shown electronically to show validation, input messages and protection. Screen prints to show back ups and written explanations for security measures.

11. A04 – Create a suitable spreadsheet to analyse data • Choose an appropriate layout • Label the spreadsheet with appropriate titles, labels and headers and footers • Format spreadsheet to show data types, cells, sheets, styles, conditional formatting, hiding/revealing rows, columns. Setting column or row width/depth, backgrounds and text. • Use tools to improve the efficiency of the spreadsheet e.g. link cells between worksheets, absolute and relative cell referencing, macros and filter. • Set validation to reduce data entry errors • Use appropriate formula e.g. simple math formula and complex formula e.g. percentages, brackets and two stage calculations. • Use appropriate functions to summarise and analyse data e.g. Sum, Average, Min, Max, Count and countif. Use logical functions e.g. IF, AND and OR • Check and test the spreadsheet to make sure it works effectively.

12. A04 Continued… • Create and use a spreadsheet to enter and analyse data. Distinction could have more than one worksheet, one worksheet may summarise the findings. • Must evidence using validation. • Distinction should compare results across sub groups in the sample. • Pass may find average hours spent on internet,. • Merit and Distinction may look at male and female and hours on internet and Distinction may look at age range of males and females. • Provide evidence of checking formula using dummy data, using manual calculations and using estimates and actual answer comparisons. Distinction should fully test all aspects and provide evidence. Could use pivot tables. • Before using the spreadsheet they should get test users to give feedback and suggest improvements and comment on the functionality. • Evidence – Electronic spreadsheet file can be shown or annotated printouts in data and formula view.

13. A05 – Create suitable graphs and charts

14. A06 – Present findings to an audience

15. Useful websiteswww.statistics.gov.ukwww.neighbourhood.statisitics.gov.uk