Definition
Statistical question
A statistical question is a question that expects data with variation, not one fixed answer.
Continue from this idea into connected AXIO math.
Many answers that vary belong in one data picture.
Boundary: “How many minutes did Hana read yesterday?” asks for one fixed fact, so it is not statistical by itself.
What it means
Before collecting data, you expect the answers to differ. That variation is part of the question, not a mistake. You can organise the answers to look for a typical value, a spread, a pattern, or differences between groups.
Remember it
Many answers that vary belong in one data picture.
Example
“How many minutes do pupils in our class read after school?” is statistical because each pupil may give a different number. Collect the times, then compare their centre and spread.
Watch for
“How many minutes did Hana read yesterday?” asks for one fixed fact, so it is not statistical by itself.
Common mix-up
A question is not statistical merely because its answer is a number; it must anticipate variability.
Exact meaning
A statistical question is a question that anticipates variable answers from a group, repeated measurements, or repeated trials and can be investigated by collecting and analysing data.