Creating Good Statistical Questions

7.SP.2- Statistical Questions

an example

When you want to find out what kind of music ALL seventh graders like most, there are likely too many people to ask.

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By asking 20 seventh graders, “What is your favorite kind of music?,”

you can get a good sense of the type of music all seventh graders like.

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If you asked another class of seventh graders the same question, your results would probably be similar but not exactly the same.

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Statistical questions| math

When you ask a question to make a prediction about a larger group, you are asking a statistical question

Statistical questions do not have an exact answer; you expect to get a variety of answers.

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So answers to statistical questions have variability. Non-statistical questions have exact answers.

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Multiple Select

When you ask a question to make a prediction about a larger group, you are asking a statistical question; what makes a question a statistcal one?

• does not have an exact answer

• has a variety of answers

• there is exactly one right answer

• targets a specific answer

• is used to make a prediction about a larger group

Multiple Select

Maya wants to collect statistical information about the different sports 7th graders at her school like to watch. She writes 3 questions to ask 50 7th graders and will use the results to make a prediction about all 7th graders. Which questions are statistical?

• When is the next home basketball game?

• What is your favorite sport to watch?

• What was the last sports game you watched at this school?

Open Ended

Explain the difference between a question that is statistical and one that is not.

Determine whether each question is statistical or non-statistical.

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Then, we will explain why or why not.​

Multiple Choice

A political group asked voters waiting in line to vote: Who are the 2 major candidates running for president this year?

• Statistical

• Non-Statistical

Multiple Choice

The journalism club surveyed students in the library and asked: About how much time do you spend reading each day?

• Statistical

• Non-Statistical

Multiple Choice

To decide if a new movie should be shown this Friday, a movie theatre invited 50 people to view the movie and answer the question: Did you enjoy the movie?

• Statistical

• Non-Statistical

Multiple Choice

A sixth grader asks her guidance counselor: How many clubs and sports are open to sixth graders at this school?

• Statistical

• Non-Statistical

Jamiyiah surveyed her classmates to make a prediction about kids her age.

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Which could be a question Jamiyiah asked? Explain.

• How many people do not watch TV?

• How many TV shows do you watch regularly?

• About how long do you spend watching TV every day?

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