This pilot collection of resources is designed to introduce key statistical ideas and help students to deepen their understanding.
Introduction
In the 21st century, more data is collected about us than ever before, and as computers become more powerful, we can process, interpret and analyse large data sets to look for patterns, make predictions, and discover new ideas. Whether you study mathematics, science, social sciences or humanities, it is becoming increasingly important to have a good grasp of statistical ideas and an understanding of the maths underlying statistical methods.
These resources are designed to introduce key statistical ideas needed for advanced study. They also give opportunities to consolidate your understanding by applying it to new and engaging contexts. Try the activities to delve into the concepts of hypothesis testing, sampling, and distributions, and explore some of the fascinating and complex issues surrounding the interpretation and representation of data. Scroll down to find articles which explain key ideas and go more deeply into the concepts.
To complement each resource, there are Teachers' Resources with suggestions for how the tasks can be used in the classroom.
Try
These resources investigate statistics concepts usually met by students aged 14-16
Statistical Shorts
Can you decide whether these short statistical statements are always, sometimes or never true?
A Population Survey
A geographical survey: answer the tiny questionnaire and then analyse all the collected responses...
Which Spinners?
Can you work out which spinners were used to generate the frequency charts?
Thousands of People
Counting Fish
I need a figure for the fish population in a lake. How does it help to catch and mark 40 fish?
Data Matching
Use your skill and judgement to match the sets of random data.
Where Are You Flying?
Where do people fly to from London? What is good and bad about these representations?
One Variable, Two Variable, Three Variable, More
Sleep: The Silent Killer
Do You Brush Your Teeth Every Day?
Try more
These resources explore statistics concepts usually met by students aged 16-18
Stats Statements
Are these statistical statements sometimes, always or never true? Or it is impossible to say?
Hypothetical Shorts
Robin's Hypothesis Testing
Powerful Hypothesis Testing
Can You Find ... Random Variable Edition
Binomial or Not?
Binomial Conditions
A Well-Stirred Sample
Read
These articles provide some background on key ideas in statistics and probability.
Understanding Hypotheses
This article explores the process of making and testing hypotheses.
A Probability Conundrum
The Surveyor Who Came to Tea
Read more
These articles invite you to explore statistical ideas in more depth.
What Is a Random Variable, Really?
What Is a Hypothesis Test?
Challenging Data Tasks: The Making of 'where Are You Flying?'
How was the data for this problem compiled? A guided tour through the process.
The development of these resources was made possible by donations co-ordinated by PSI from Amgen, AstraZeneca, GSK, PHASTAR and Roche. We would like to thank all contributors for their generous support.