Lesson 1

Being Skeptical

Lesson Narrative

The mathematical purpose of this lesson is to recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies. Students begin to understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on data from a statistical study. They also critique and evaluate reports based on data and how the data are collected. The work of this lesson connects to previous work because students interpreted categorical and quantitative data, and investigated data using conditional probability and the rules of probability. The work of this lesson connects to upcoming work because students will critique and evaluate reports from popular media based on the data and how the data were collected. When students articulate things they notice and things they wonder about the headlines and a graph describing data, students have an opportunity to attend to precision in the language they use to describe what they see (MP6). The “take turns” task gives students opportunities to analyze statements and structures closely and make connections (MP2, MP7).


Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Critique and evaluate reports (orally) based on data and how the data were collected.
  • Recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies.
  • Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on data from a statistical study.

Student Facing

  • Let’s examine some ways people use statistics.

Learning Targets

Student Facing

  • I can decide if a study is good or bad based on evidence.
  • I can recognize the difference between a survey, observational study, or experimental study.
  • I understand why randomization is important in the design of a study.

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Building Towards

Glossary Entries

  • experimental study

    An experimental study collects data by directly influencing something to determine how another thing is changed.

  • observational study

    An observational study collects data without influencing the subjects directly.

  • survey

    A survey is a set of questions given to people to seek their responses.

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