Basic HTML Version
Q
uantitative
R
easoning &
P
roblem
S
olving
274
© 2014 Pacific Crest
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Jumping to conclusions not supported by the data
Example
: Exaggerations in the scale on a graph insinuate large differences between values
when there are none
Why?
While we are initially drawn to the visual patterns of a graph check that the numerical
data supports the patterns or comparisons implied by the graph
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Using a graph from an unreliable source
Example
: A student uses a graph from an online blogger to support a research paper
Why?
Many individuals without credentials now operate seemingly official websites.
Ensure that your sources are from reputable sources and try to restrict research to
peer-review journals and government organizations
A
re You Ready?
Before continuing, you should be able to ...
I can...
OR
Here’s my question...
differentiate between the seven popular
displays of data (scatter plot, function
graph, histogram, pie chart, bar graph,
regression plot, and line graph)
read a graph and extract the data or trends
being presented
apply the methodology for analyzing a
graphical display of data
P
lan
How to complete the activity
1. Review the models that follow.
2. Perform a graphical analysis of data sets 1 and 2.
3. Answer the Critical Thinking Questions.
3. Complete the remainder of this activity (from Demonstrate Your Understanding through Assessing
Your Performance) on your own, or as directed by your instructor.
M
odel(s)
Exemplars and representations
M
odel
1: C
reating
a
H
istogram
(
data
comparing
the
soil
density of
a
forest
before
and
after
it was
clear
-
cut
)