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Data Analysis

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Data Analysis

Uploaded by

Paridhi Bhandari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data Analysis

Biology Individual Investigation (IA)


Populations and samples

● In statistics, we often rely on a sample - a


small subset of a larger set of data - to draw
inferences about the larger set.
● The larger set is known as the population
from which the sample is drawn.
How representative is your sample?
Only a large sample size makes it likely that our
sample is close to representative of the
population.
For this reason, inferential statistics take into
account the sample size when generalizing
results from samples to populations.
VARIABLES

● independent and dependent variables


● discrete and continuous variables
● qualitative and quantitative variables
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

● Number of levels / conditions


● Qualitative / categorical
● Quantitative / numerical
● Discrete / no in between values
● Continuous / can take any value within a range
Presenting data
bio for life data tables
Uncertainties of measurement
measurement
Assessment Criterion

● The communication of the recording and processing of the


data is both clear and precise.
● The recording and processing of data shows evidence of an
appropriate consideration of uncertainties.
● The processing of data relevant to addressing the research
question is carried out appropriately and accurately.
Assessment Criterion

Data refers to quantitative data or a combination of both


quantitative and qualitative data.
Communication
● Clear communication means that the method of
processing can be understood easily.
● Precise communication refers to following conventions
correctly, such as those relating to the annotation of
graphs and tables or the use of units, decimal places and
significant figures.
Assessment Criterion - scoring below 5/6 …

● “Major omissions, inaccuracies or inconsistencies


impede the possibility of drawing a valid conclusion
that addresses the research question” = 1 or 2
● “Significant omissions, inaccuracies or
inconsistencies allow the possibility of drawing a
conclusion that addresses the research question
but with some limit to its validity or detail” = 3 or 4
Processing data - what should I be doing …?

REVIEW your research question!!


Dependent variable?
What needs to be calculated to derive your DV
Example: “impact of X on rate of growth”
Measured: dry mass at start (from a sample) (g)
dry mass after 10 days of each condition / level (g)
Calculation: (Final mass - initial mass) = g/day or gday-1
10

DO THIS CALCULATION FOR EACH TRIAL BEFORE YOU DO THE STATISTICS


Processing data

RQ - ‘’effect of …”
Data = measurements before and after / control vs treatments
Calculation of percentage difference may be appropriate
Percentage difference = (final - initial) x 100%
Initial

Do this for ALL trials BEFORE you calculate the statistics


Graphing
choosing which type of graph

graphing instructions
Error analysis
error analysis
Statistics
Statistics
the shape of the graph when
all possible values are plotted
on a frequency graph

A note on ‘skew’
the new criteria place more emphasis on checking the distribution of the data
before choosing the statistical calculations.
eg whether to use mean, median or mode to best summarise your trials in one
condition
eg whether to use standard deviation or range or quartiles to analyse variation
More stats
choosing your stat test

flow chart

another flow chart

NOTE: you need to clearly explain WHY you choose the processing that you have done, how it suits your
RQ and data and why it is VALID.

You do NOT need to show every step of every calculation! One sample calculation with a named trial is
fine.

You do not need to explain how to calculate means, standard deviation and other well known statistics.
You can state that you used a calculator (make, model) with stats functions or an excel / sheets
spreadsheet function.

If you use an online calculator, make sure you cite it.


SUPPORT
Craig (wed)

Simon (residence)

Lucinda (Mon)

Maths teachers … schedule

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