Statistical Questions
📋 What it is
A statistical question is one you answer with data that VARIES — not a single fixed fact.
🗣️ Coach says
Good data work starts with a good question. "How tall am I?" has one answer — not statistical. "How tall are kids in my grade?" expects a range of answers — that’s statistical. Anticipating variability is the whole point.
🧠 Memory hook
Statistical question → expects MANY different answers (variability). One-answer questions aren’t statistical.
😂 Giggle
What's a data scientist's favorite type of pool?
A data pool!
😲 Whoa!
Data scientists say a well-framed question is half the analysis — the wrong question can’t be fixed by any amount of data.
✅ Quick check: "How many pets does each student in my class have?" — is that a statistical question?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Yes — answers will vary from student to student.
It anticipates variability across a group, which is what makes a question statistical.
🪄 Trick question: "What is my exact height right now?" — statistical or not?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
Not statistical — it has a single fixed answer.
No variability is expected, so it isn’t a statistical question.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Write one statistical question and one non-statistical question about your school. Explain the difference.