Data · JHS3 Mathematics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B9.4.1.2.1

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Identify the factors that can introduce bias into a data collection method (language of questions, ethics, cost, time and timing, privacy, and cultural sensitivity).
Select and justify an appropriate method for collecting quantitative or qualitative data for a given situation.
Evaluate survey questions and data collection plans to detect potential sources of bias.
Rewrite biased survey questions or collection methods to reduce bias and improve data quality.
Justify their choice of data collection method, considering how bias may influence the results.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Handling Data (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Data (4.1)
Content standard: B9.4.1.2 - Select, justify, and use appropriate methods of collecting data (quantitative and qualitative), organise and analyse the data (grouped/ungrouped) to interpret the results using the descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and range).
Indicator: B9.4.1.2.1 - Select a method for collecting data (quantitative and qualitative), taking into consideration how bias (use of language, ethics, cost, time and timing, privacy or cultural sensitivity) may influence data.
Suggested placement: Term 3, Week 9 (Week 33 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Mathematics, Common Core Programme (JHS1-JHS3), 2023, p. 215
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

E. g. 1 Suppose in a school survey form the following question was asked: Overall, don't you think the teaching of mathematics is very good?
The designer of the survey form has a bias for the methodology used in math lessons and the bias influences how the question was written. The language used in writing the question may lead people to just answer yes or no. A better question would be: Overall, how will you rate the teaching of mathematics?

Wide colour mathematical teaching visual is organised as a labelled teaching diagram with vertical divisions,... — A wide colour mathematical teaching visual is organised as a labelled teaching diagram with vertical divisions, coloured regions, open white space around the main marks. Visible labels, values, and notation include: Very poor; Poor; Fair; Good; Very Good.

Very poor Poor Fair Good Very Good
E.g. 2 Ama Mereku in B9 wants to write an article for their school magazine on sport-related injuries. The responses for the survey question stated below were collected from only the schools' football team.
The influencing factors in this survey question are: time and bias. Football is a contact sport. The chances are that the answers from her targeted respondents will be high in favour of injuries and thus negatively affect the conclusion/report. In order to report accurately on sport-related injuries Ama needs to ask more people (time needed) who participate in a variety of sports, including contact and non-contact sports (e.g. athletics tennis, volleyball, and so on).
E.g. 3Learners in B9 are asked by their physical education teacher to complete a survey related to "Overall Physical Health". One question on the survey form is; What is your current body weight?
Identify the influencing factor in the survey and provide a solution.
E.g. 4 - Suppose you tell your classmates that the response to the question in the Class Survey Question Form is to help you plan remedial classes. What is your worst subject?
If you then use the information collected to write an article for the school magazine how would your actions be described and how would that influence future surveys you conduct?
E.g. 5 -Suppose in a survey questionnaire you wanted to know the favourite method of cooking pork and you asked:

Wide black-and-white mathematical teaching visual is organised as a labelled teaching diagram with horizontal... — A wide black-and-white mathematical teaching visual is organised as a labelled teaching diagram with horizontal divisions. Visible labels, values, and notation include: Please tick the box against your favourite method of cooking pork; Boiling; Grilling; Frying; Please tick the box against your favourite method of cooking pork (Optional); This question does not apply to everyone because some people do not eat pork.

Please tick the box against your favourite method of cooking pork Boiling Grilling Frying
Please tick the box against your favourite method of cooking pork (Optional) Boiling Grilling Frying
This question does not apply to everyone because some people do not eat pork (i.e. the question is not culturally sensitive.) A better question would be

Wide black-and-white mathematical teaching visual is organised as a table with horizontal divisions, vertical... — A wide black-and-white mathematical teaching visual is organised as a table with horizontal divisions, vertical divisions. Visible labels, values, and notation include: If you eat pork please name the favourite method you cook it.; Boiling; Grilling; Frying.

If you eat pork please name the favourite method you cook it. Boiling Grilling Frying OR

If you eat pork please name the favourite method you cook it. Boiling Grilling Frying