Interpreting Statistical Data

What is Interpreting Statistical Data?

Turning a table or diagram into a statement that the data actually supports. It requires reading the title, key, units and axis scale before extracting any value, comparing data sets using a measure of centre together with a measure of spread, expressing the result in the context of the question rather than as a bare number, and naming the restriction — sample size, bias, missing data, measurement, question wording, misleading scale or extrapolation — that limits how far the conclusion can go.

This definition is part of the Statistics chapter in Cambridge O Level Mathematics (Syllabus D).

Concepts related to Interpreting Statistical Data

• measure of centre
• measure of spread
• in context
• misleading scale
• correlation is not causation