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New Zealand
Level 7 - NCEA Level 2

Statistical Attributes

Lesson

An attribute is defined as a specific characteristic or feature of a given subject. When we talk about statistical attributes, we mean the specific topic or subject that we want to investigate. If we can clearly identify the statistical attributes in a research project, it helps us generate clear research questions so we can make useful conclusions.

Let's look at some examples and practice identifying statistical attributes.

Worked Examples

Question 1

What statistical attributes would need to be considered if you were trying to investigate how many pets your classmates own?

  1. The number of pets they own

    A

    How much their pets weigh.

    B

    The type of pets they own

    C

QUESTION 2

What statistical attributes could be being shown in the graph to the right?

  1. Number of children who travel to school and their mode of transport

    A

    How many people prefer each mode of transport

    B

    Number of teachers who travel to school and their mode of transport

    C

QUESTION 3

What statistical attribute is being compared in the bar graph?

 

Preferred SportSportNumber of boys510boxingtennisfootballbaseballbasketball
The bar graph is entitled "Preferred Sport." The vertical axis is labeled "Number of boys" and ranges from 0 to 10. The horizontal axis is labeled "Sport" and lists five sports: basketball, racing, athletics, boxing, and baseball.
  1. Preferred sport

    A

    The number of hours of sport played

    B

    Number of boys

    C

 

Outcomes

S7-1

Carry out investigations of phenomena, using the statistical enquiry cycle: A conducting surveys that require random sampling techniques, conducting experiments, and using existing data sets B evaluating the choice of measures for variables and the sampling and data collection methods used C using relevant contextual knowledge, exploratory data analysis, and statistical inference.

91263

Design a questionnaire

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