ML1-INSTR_Language for Asking Questions.doc
Language for asking Questions
Variability:This type of question asks how a measure varies within a group. Questions about variability can be answered using frequency plots. Examples of frequency plots include box plots, dot plots and histograms.
Sample Questions
1. How deep are the lakes in Maine?
2. How many cans of soda do students in my class drink each week?
3. What are town clerks paid in Maine?
4. How old are bears that are killed in Maine’s bear hunt?
Comparing Groups:This type of question asks how two or more groups compare, based on a single variable, or measure. Comparison questions can be answered using frequency plots or bar graphs.
Sample Questions
1. Does it rain more in Acadia National Park or in Greenville?
2. Are Maine lakes deeper than New Hampshire lakes?
3. Are earthquakes in Japan stronger than earthquakes in California?
4. Which city has a lower average temperature for the month of January, Bangor or Augusta?
Correlation:This type of question asks whether or not two numeric variables are related to each other (correlated). Correlation questions can be answered using scatter plots.
Sample Questions
1. Is the amount of mercury in blood of loons related to body weight?
2. Are the longest wars also the most expensive wars?
3. Does the number of hours of sleep at night relate to test scores the following day?
4. Are boiling point and melting point of elements correlated with each other?
Time Series:This type of question asks how something (a unique variable) changes over time. Time series questions can be answered using line graphs.
Sample Questions
1. Has the Gulf Stream gotten warmer over the last 50 years?
2. How did the air temperature change between sunrise and sunset today?
3. Have gold-medal Olympic female swimmers gotten faster since they started competing in the Olympics?
4. Have smoking rates in Maine decreased over the last ten years?