Lecture 1—Data Collection

Data collection is motivated by questions we want to answer

Today’s question: How far will a thing fling?

Make a guess as to how far you think a thing will fling

What are some factors that might affect how far your thing will fling?

Prior to collecting data, I must decide who or what will provide the data

HOW FAR WILL A THING FLING ACTIVITY

4 Steps in Collecting Data

1. Pose a question

-then I must decide who or what I am collecting data from

-Definition: Observational Unit—the person or thing to which a number or category is assigned

(for us it was the table groups)

2. Collect the data

-compare your data will a random list of numbers (e.g. 5, 8, 22, 13)

-what is the difference in the two lists?

-Definition: Data—numbers collected in a particular context

3. Analyze the data

-graphs/charts /tables are good ways to analyze your data

-we will spend a lot of time in the coming lectures discussing this

4. Interpret the results

-go back and answer the question you initially posed

-recognize limitations

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