Statistical Question
In short: Statistical question describes a question built for data: the answers are expected to vary across a group, so you have to collect many values before replying.
6th GradeStatistics6.SP.A.1
What is Statistical Question?
A statistical question expects variety in its answers. “How tall is the Washington Monument?” has one fixed answer, but “How tall are the students in our grade?” does not, because heights differ.
Precisely, a question is statistical when you expect variability in the data and the answer is described by a distribution: a typical value, a spread or a shape. Asking it means gathering a set of measurements and then summarizing them.
How to spot it
- A question asks about “students”, “days” or “games” in general, not about one named thing.
- You would not be surprised to get different answers from different people.
- Data would be needed, such as a survey, a measurement or a tally.
- The answer can be summarized with a typical value like a mean, median or a graph.
The method
- Ask: is there exactly one correct answer? If yes, it is not statistical.
- Look for a group and a measurable quantity, such as minutes of homework for each student.
- Check that you would expect variation within that group; if so, it is a statistical question.
- Write the question so it names the group and the measure clearly.
Statistical Question: solved example
Problem
Sort these into statistical or not: (a) How many points did the Lakeview Lions score in last night’s game? (b) How many points did the Lions score in each game this season?
Solution
(a) One game, one score, one correct answer. It is not statistical.
(b) Many games, and the scores will vary, so data are needed. It is statistical.
Try it
Question 1
Is “How much does a Grade 6 student’s backpack weigh?” statistical?
Show the answer
Yes. Weights differ from backpack to backpack, so you must collect data.
Question 2
Rewrite “How many minutes did Ana play piano on Tuesday?” so it becomes a data question.
Show the answer
“How many minutes do students in our class spend on piano each day?” lets the answers vary.
Statistical Question vs. Mean, Median and Mode
The question is what you ask before collecting data. The mean, median and mode are summaries you compute after, to describe the typical answer. Asking a question that varies comes first; averaging comes second.
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Whole dictionary: A–Z · 6th Grade · Statistics