Is It Reliable? (Source, Time, Objective)
What is the maximum age data should generally be to be considered "current" for social statistics?
5 to 10 years
On a standard bar graph, the independent variable (categories like "Fruit") usually goes on which axis?
The X-axis
What does "Range" refer to when collecting data?
How much data was collected (Sample Size).
If a line on a graph goes up from left to right, is the data increasing or decreasing?
Increasing
You find a census report from 1995. Based on the "Time" criteria, should you use this source for a report on today's population?
No, it is too old
Which type of graph is BEST for showing how a single number changes over time (like height by age)?
A Line Graph
If a bar on a graph stops exactly halfway between the line for 10 and the line for 20, what number is it?
15
If a trend line is perfectly flat (horizontal), what is happening to the data?
It is constant (staying the same/no change)
You are looking for facts about climate change. Which source is more Objective: A website selling solar panels or a study published by NASA?
A study published by NASA.
In a Pie Chart, if "Bus" is 50% and "Car" is 25%, what percentage is the remaining slice?
25%
Which dataset has a better Range: Measuring temperature for 1 week or measuring for 1 year?
Measuring for 1 year
A graph shows that as Temperature goes UP, Ice Cream sales go UP. Is this a positive or negative trend?
Positive Trend (Direct relationship)
A graph shows "Video Games Make You Smarter," but it was paid for by Nintendo. Which criteria does this violate?
Objective (It has a bias/conflict of interest)
On a scatter plot, if the dots are scattered randomly with no pattern, what kind of correlation is this?
No correlation
A student surveys only 3 friends to find the favorite movie of the whole 7th grade. What is the problem here?
The Range (sample size) is too small
A graph shows "Hours of Video Games" vs. "Math Grades." The line goes down from left to right. What does this mean?
The more you play, the lower your grades get (Negative correlation)
You find a website with broken links and a copyright date of 1998. Which two criteria tell you NOT to use this source?
Time (Recency) and Source
Graph A starts at 0. Graph B starts at 50. Both graphs show the exact same data. Which graph will look like it has a steeper, more dramatic line?
Graph B (the one starting at 50)
Why must you be careful with data found in an advertisement?
The objective is to sell, so they may leave out negative data (Bias)
Look at this data set: 10, 12, 11, 13, 12. How would you describe the trend?
Consistent or Steady (No sharp increase or decrease)