Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
STATISTICAL REASONING AND ITS APPLICATION IN REAL LIFE
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STATISTICAL REASONING AND ITS APPLICATION IN REAL LIFE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Mathematics
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 18
Grade code: 1.4.1.LI.2
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.4.1.CS.3
Indicator code: 1.4.1.LI.2
Theme: MAKING SENSE OF AND USING DATA
Subtheme: STATISTICAL REASONING AND ITS APPLICATION IN REAL LIFE
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In our previous lessons, we learned how to ask statistical questions, collect data, analyse it, and draw initial conclusions. However, collecting data and finding the mean or drawing a chart is only half the journey. The most important part is communicating your findings to others so they can understand and use them. Think about the Ghana Statistical Service after a national census. They don't just keep the numbers in a book; they present them to the government and the public to help in planning for schools, hospitals, and roads.
This lesson focuses on the final, crucial stage of any statistical investigation: Reporting and Communicating Results. A. The Structure of a Statistical Project Report
No matter how you present your findings (in a speech, a poster, or a document), it should follow a logical structure. This helps your audience follow your thinking. Title: Clear, concise, and tells the reader exactly what the project is about. *Example:* "An Investigation into the Preferred Mobile Network Among SHS 1 Students at Adisadel College." Introduction/Background: The "Why." State the research question or problem. Explain why this topic is important or relevant to your community (e.g., the school). State your objective or what you aimed to find out. *Example:* "With many students using mobile phones for research and communication, this project aims to determine which network provider offers the most satisfaction in terms of call quality and data speed, according to SHS 1 students." Methodology: The "How." Population & Sample: Who did you study? (e.g., "All 500 SHS 1 students" is the population; "a random sample of 50 students" is the sample). Data Collection Method: How did you get your information? (e.g., Questionnaire, Interview, Observation). Be specific. Data Analysis: How did you process the data? (e.g., "Data was entered into MS Excel. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and a bar chart was created to visualise the results."). Results/Findings: The "What." This is where you present your data objectively, without giving opinions yet. Use tables, charts (bar charts, pie charts, histograms), and graphs. Each visual must have a clear title and labelled axes. Briefly describe the key findings shown in the charts. *Example:* "The results from the survey of 50 students are shown in Figure 1. Of the respondents, 25 (50%) preferred MTN, 15 (30%) preferred Vodafone, and 10 (20%) preferred AT." Discussion and Conclusion: The "So What?" Summarise your main findings in words. What is the main message from your results? Explain what your findings mean. Do they answer your original research question? Mention any challenges or limitations you faced (e.g., "Some students were unwilling to participate, which might have slightly affected the results."). Recommendations: The "What Next?" Based on your conclusions, suggest a course of action. Your recommendations must be directly supported by your findings. *Example:* "Based on the finding that 50% of students prefer MTN primarily for its data speed, it is recommended that the Students' Representative Council (SRC) petitions other network providers to improve their data infrastructure on campus." B. Choosing the Right Presentation Tool
The tool you use depends on your audience and where you will share your work.
| Tool | Best For | Strengths | Weaknesses | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | PowerPoint / Google Slides | Class presentations, school forums, club meetings. | Structured, easy to combine text and visuals, professional look. | Can be boring if too much text is used ("Death by PowerPoint"). | | Infographic (e.g., Canva, Piktochart, Hand-drawn on Manila Card) | Notice boards, social media (school's Facebook page), school magazine. | Highly visual, engaging, summarises key points quickly, great for sharing. | Not suitable for showing lots of detailed data or complex methodology. | | Written Report (MS Word / Handwritten) | Formal submission to a teacher, school administration, or for a science fair. | Very detailed, allows for in-depth explanation, formal record. | Can be text-heavy and less engaging for a general audience. | C. Designing an Effective Presentation Slide (A Worked Example)