Statistical skills key terms

mean

The average value calculated by adding all numbers in a data set and dividing by the total count of numbers.

median

In Statistical skills, median means the middle value in a data set when the numbers are arranged in ascending order. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to use appropriate measures of central tendency including median, mean, mode and modal class. Use median only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

range

In Statistical skills, range means the difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to use appropriate measures of spread including range, quartiles and inter-quartile range. Use range only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

inter-quartile range

The measure of spread that represents the range of the middle 50% of a data set, calculated as the difference between the first quartile (Q1) and the third quartile (Q3).

cumulative frequency

A running total of frequencies that shows the number of observations below a particular value.

frequency distribution

In Statistical skills, frequency distribution means a summary of how often different values occur in a dataset. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to use cumulative frequency where appropriate. Use frequency distribution only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

percentage increase

The amount by which a value has grown, expressed as a percentage of the original value.

percentage decrease

The amount by which a value has reduced, expressed as a percentage of the original value.

percentile

In Statistical skills, percentile means a value below which a given percentage of observations in a group of observations falls. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to understand the use of percentiles. Use percentile only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

cumulative frequency

A running total of frequencies that shows the number of observations that fall below a particular value.

bivariate data

Data that involves two different variables and is used to determine relationships between them.

relationship

In Statistical skills, relationship means the connection or correlation between two variables in a dataset. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to describe relationships in bivariate data. Use relationship only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

trend line

In Statistical skills, trend line means a straight line that represents the general direction of data points in a scatter plot. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to sketch trend lines through scatter plots. Use trend line only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

scatter plot

In Statistical skills, scatter plot means a graph that displays values for typically two variables for a set of data using dots. This matters in Statistical skills because it supports the learning objective to sketch trend lines through scatter plots. Use scatter plot only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, evidence-aware, and useful for AQA GCSE Geography 8035 revision.

line of best fit

A straight line that best represents the data on a scatter plot, used to make predictions.

scatter plot

A graph that displays values for typically two variables for a set of data, showing the relationship between them.

Interpolation

The process of estimating a value within the range of known data points on a trend line.

Extrapolation

The process of estimating a value outside the range of known data points using a trend line.

selective statistical presentation

The practice of presenting data in a way that emphasizes certain aspects while downplaying others, potentially leading to misinterpretation.

weaknesses in data presentation

Flaws or limitations in how statistical data is displayed, which can affect the clarity and accuracy of the information conveyed.