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20. Statistics and Box Plots

Using box plots to compare distribution of data

Using box plots to compare distribution of data.

Scenario

Pupils obtain data from an observatory in Hawaii to conduct a research project on changes in atmospheric CO2 over the past decade. Pupils use box plots to compare the distribution of atmospheric CO2 year on year.

Curriculum references

National Curriculum 4

Interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of datasets from univariate empirical distributions through: appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data, including box plots appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outliers, quartiles and inter-quartile range).
OCR 12.03a Calculate the mean, mode, median and range for ungrouped data. Find the modal class, and calculate estimates of the range, mean and median for grouped data, and understand why they are estimates. Describe a population using statistics. Make simple comparisons. Compare data sets using ‘like for like’ summary values. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of summary values. Calculate estimates of mean, median, mode, range, quartiles and interquartile range from graphical representation of grouped data Draw and interpret box plots. Use the median and interquartile range to compare distributions.
AQA S4

Interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of datasets from univariate empirical distributions through:

  • appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data, including box plots;
  • appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outliers, quartiles and inter-quartile range).
Edexcel S4

Interpret, analyse and compare the distributions of datasets from univariate empirical distributions through:

  • appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data, including box plots;
  • appropriate measures of central tendency (median, mean, mode and modal class) and spread (range, including consideration of outliers, quartiles and inter-quartile range).
Learning resources

Download the module question and answer sheets.

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