OCR Nationals Level 3

1. Unit 3 – Problem Solving A01 Define a statistical problem to be investigated OCR Nationals Level 3

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

3. In this unit you will: • use spreadsheet software for data analysis • create suitable graphs/charts • present the results of the study. • 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 M Morison

4. This unit …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. M Morison

5. Deadlines M Morison

6. Defining the Problem 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

7. Some ideas: 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

8. Defining the Problem (2) 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

9. Step 1 : Identify the problem • The first step is to identify the problem and describe it. • What might have caused the situation to come about? • Are there any contraindications? M Morison

10. For example: 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. M Morison

11. Sources • 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. M Morison

12. Consider: • 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. M Morison

13. Step 2: Explain the background to the problem 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. M Morison

14. 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? M Morison

15. What happened in the past? • 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? M Morison

16. In our example 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. M Morison

17. 3: Setting a hypothesis 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. M Morison

18. Your hypothesis… • 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” M Morison

19. 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” M Morison

20. Your Hypothesis • 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

21. Project Objectives & Success Criteria 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. M Morison

22. SMART objectives 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 M Morison

23. Data Collection & Processing 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 M Morison

24. For example: • 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? M Morison

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

26. Think about M Morison

27. The results • Will you use charts & graphs etc to help you analyse the data & patterns? 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? M Morison

28. Data Protection Considerations • 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 1988. • 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. M Morison

29. Useful resources • NHS • NHS Statistics:  All sorts of statistical analysis of NHS data • Department of Health Reports:  A range of statistical and other reports M Morison

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

31. NHS Style Charts Health Inequalities - Office of National Statistics Drug Poisioning Deaths - Yuk Cancer Survival Family Income M Morison

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

33. Some Research Terms • 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

34. More Research Terms 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

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

36. All investigations are either… 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

37. To complete A01… • 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

38. Pass • 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. M Morison

39. Merit • 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. M Morison

40. Distinction • 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. M Morison