STATISTICS (EDEXCEL 1ST0) WHAT IS GCSE STATISTICS?


Every day we are faced with oceans of facts and figures. It is impossible to consider each fact individually, so we use statistics to deal with complex data. Statistics are numbers that describe, or summarise, groups of other numbers. We live in the information age, where we understand a great deal about the world around us; much of this information was is determined mathematically by using statistics. When used correctly, statistics helps us to identify trends in the past, and predict the future.


WHICH SUBJECTS COMBINE WELL WITH STATISTICS?


Statistics combines well with a number of other subjects. The related disciplines of GCSE Business Studies, ICT and Mathematics are obvious examples, if you are looking for a broader programme of study, Statistics combines well with the study of a language, humanities or science subjects. Increasing more and more subjects, studied at both GCSE, and at A level, include statistics.


WHAT CAREERS AND UNIVERSITY COURSES CAN STATISTICS LEAD TO?


The vast majority of university degree courses will include a statistics module, thus a good grounding in mathematics and statistics suggests you have the ability to deal with numbers, data, reading graphs, looking at patterns and making decisions.


COURSE OUTLINE


The aim of this course is to increase students’ awareness of the role that statistical analysis can play in their lives. It deals with obtaining, representing and processing data in order to extract information and draw conclusions.


34 The course will cover the following areas:


Planning a strategy: hypothesis, planning an investigation, experiments/surveys, appreciation of constraints


Data Collection: types of data, obtaining data, census data


Sampling: conducting a survey/experiment Representation: diagrammatic representation


Data Analysis: measures of location, measures of spread


Other summary statistics includes time series, quality assurance, correlation, regression, estimation and probability.


Assessment


This new reformed course will be assessed in two examinations, taken at the end of the two year course. Each examination will be equally weighted, with all topics potentially being tested on each paper. As the Statistical Enquiry Cycle is a major element of the course, students will complete a number of statistical investigations throughout the course.


There are two tiers of entry: Higher grades 9 to 4 (two 1½ hour examinations) Foundation grades 5 to 1 (two 1½ hour examinations)


It is expected that the vast majority of students will sit the Higher Tier examination.


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