Content Strand 4: Probability and Statistics - Item Specification (8-2005)

PS03 (Data Representation and Interpretation) Read and interpret data represented in histograms, single line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, scatter plots, and box-and-whisker plots and determine when using these graphs is appropriate; demonstrate understanding of how different representations of the same set of data can support different points of view (1.4.5, 1.4.6)

Item Format:

· Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer items may be used to test this learning target.

Stimulus, Stem, and Prompt Rules:

· Stimulus may include tables, charts, diagrams, pictures, histograms, single line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, scatter plots, and box-and-whisker plots.

Mathematical Vocabulary and Terms:

· Terms that may be used: axis/axes, box-and-whisker plot, scatter plot, grid, histogram, horizontal axis, interval, line graph, scale, stem-and-leaf plot, vertical axis, x-axis, y-axis
· Terms that may be used with definitions or examples: compare (tell how they are alike and/or how they are different), evaluate, trend
· Terms that may not be used: continuous, discrete, intercept, origin, slope

Item Characteristics:

a) Items may ask students to read and interpret data from histograms, line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, scatter plots, and box-and-whisker plots.
b) Items may ask students to describe the accuracy and completeness of the data in a histogram, line graph, stem-and-leaf plot, scatter plot, or box-and-whisker plot.
c) Items may ask students to explain whether the title, labels, and/or scales(s) on a graph are accurate and appropriate for the data.
d) Items may ask students to identify and/or explain whether a histogram, line graph, stem-and-leaf plot, scatter plot, or box-and-whisker plot is more appropriate for a given set of data, a particular situation or purpose, or answers a question most effectively.
e) Items may ask students to identify or describe trends or patterns in data represented in a histogram, line graph, stem-and-leaf plot, scatter plot, or box-and-whisker plot.
f) Items may ask students to make an inference or prediction and support it based on data and/or graphical representations.
g) Items may ask students to identify or describe how statistics have been used or misused to support different points of view.
h) Items may ask students to compare or evaluate multiple interpretations of the same data.