Statistical Enquiry Cycle Initial Planning
Initial planning in the SEC involves: (1) identifying factors related to the problem, (2) defining a research question or hypothesis, (3) deciding what data to collect and how, (4) conducting exploratory data analysis, (5) developing a data processing and presentation strategy, and (6) justifying the plan to ensure lack of bias.
Real World
Ofsted researchers planning a study on school performance would spend weeks defining their research question, deciding which variables to measure, and designing unbiased sampling methods before collecting a single data point.
Exam Focus
In 'plan an investigation' questions, explicitly address sampling method, hypothesis, and bias to earn all marks.
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