Glossary
Bar Graphs
A chart that uses rectangular bars of varying heights or lengths to represent and compare different categories of data.
Example:
A bar graph could display the number of students who prefer different extracurricular activities, like sports versus debate club.
Box Plots
A standardized way of displaying the distribution of data based on a five-number summary: minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum.
Example:
Comparing the spread of test scores between two different classes can be easily done using box plots.
Correlation
A statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are linearly related, indicating if they tend to change together.
Example:
There is a strong correlation between the amount of fertilizer used and crop yield.
Cyclical Patterns
Recurring patterns in data that repeat over a fixed period, often influenced by factors like economic cycles or natural phenomena.
Example:
The stock market often exhibits cyclical patterns of growth and decline over several years.
Data Interpretation
The process of reviewing data through predefined processes to assign meaning and arrive at relevant conclusions.
Example:
A student uses data interpretation to understand why their practice test scores fluctuate over time.
Extrapolation
The process of estimating or concluding something by assuming that existing trends will continue or a current method will remain applicable beyond the observed data range.
Example:
Using past sales data, a company might extrapolate to predict next year's sales figures.
Histograms
A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data, where the data is divided into bins and the height of each bar indicates the frequency of data points within that bin.
Example:
A histogram might show the distribution of scores on a challenging math test, revealing if most students scored high, low, or in the middle.
Interpolation
The process of estimating an unknown value that lies between two known values within an observed data range.
Example:
If you know the temperature at 9 AM and 10 AM, you can interpolate to estimate the temperature at 9:30 AM.
Line Graphs
A graph that displays information as a series of data points connected by straight line segments, primarily used to show trends over time.
Example:
A line graph might track a city's average monthly temperature over a year, revealing seasonal patterns.
Negative Correlation
A relationship between two variables where they tend to move in opposite directions; as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease.
Example:
There is often a negative correlation between the price of a product and the quantity consumers are willing to buy.
Outliers
Individual data points that fall outside the general pattern or range of the rest of the data, potentially influencing statistical analysis.
Example:
If most students score between 70-90 on a test, a score of 20 or 100 would be considered an outlier.
Pie Charts
A circular statistical graphic divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion, where each slice represents a category's percentage of the whole.
Example:
A pie chart could show how a student allocates their study time across different subjects, like 30% for math and 25% for reading.
Positive Correlation
A relationship between two variables where both variables tend to move in the same direction; as one increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases, the other also decreases.
Example:
A positive correlation exists between the number of hours spent studying and the score achieved on an exam.
Scatterplots
A graph that displays the relationship between two numerical variables, with each point representing a pair of values for those variables.
Example:
A scatterplot could illustrate the relationship between the number of hours a student spends on social media and their GPA, looking for a trend.
Seasonal Patterns
Predictable patterns of change in data that occur over a specific period, such as a day, week, month, or year, often linked to seasons or holidays.
Example:
Ice cream sales typically show seasonal patterns, peaking in summer and declining in winter.
Strength of Correlation
A measure of how closely the data points in a scatterplot cluster around a trend line, indicating how consistently two variables move together.
Example:
A strength of correlation near 1 indicates that the data points almost perfectly form a straight line.
Tables
A structured arrangement of data in rows and columns, used for clear and organized presentation and comparison of information.
Example:
A table might show the nutritional content of different snacks, making it easy to compare calories and protein.
Trends
A general direction in which something is developing or changing, often observed in data over a period of time.
Example:
The trend of online shopping has been steadily increasing over the past decade.
Zero Correlation
A situation where there is no discernible linear relationship between two variables, meaning changes in one variable do not predict changes in the other.
Example:
There is likely zero correlation between a person's shoe size and their IQ.