Advancing Excellence in P12 Engineering Education
Engineering Performance Matrix
Statistics is a branch of mathematics that focuses on the methods of collecting, representing, collating, comparing, analyzing, and interpreting data. Statistics is typically combined with the study of probability theory which involves the mathematical analysis of random phenomena to determine how likely they are to occur. These areas of mathematics are important to Engineering Literacy as engineering professionals frequently select and use statistical content and practices in the testing, simulation, and analysis of solutions to engineering problems. For example, the related mathematical applications can help one to calculate how likely an outcome of repeated experiments may be, and how a specific intervention may influence the outcome, based on the analysis of collected data. As such, engineers use statistics and probability theory to evaluate the outcome of possible solutions to engineering problems.
Performance Goal for High School Learners
I can, when appropriate, draw upon the knowledge of statistics/probability content and practices, such as (1) probability distributions, (2) descriptive statistics and measures of central tendencies (mean, median, mode), (3) inferential statistics and tests of significance, and (4) using probability to make decisions, to evaluate/justify solutions to problems in a manner that is analytical, predictive, repeatable, and practical
BASIC
PROFICIENT
ADVANCED
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
I can identify the likelihood of a certain event through basic probability rules.
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY
I can statistically summary a set of data through its descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, etc.).
I can identify a probability distribution among a variety of distributions (binomial, geometric, exponential, Poisson, Bernoulli, etc.) to describe the likelihood of a certain event.
I can compare sets of data through their descriptive statistics.
I can analyze the likelihood of a certain event through the appropriate distribution table.
I can standardize data through the normal distribution transformation to identify statistical differences of multiple groups.
INFERENTIAL STATISTICS &
TESTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
I can identify data (not normally distributed) and most appropriate statistical test and inference for given hypotheses.
I can apply the appropriate method of statistical hypothesis testing to test a given hypotheses for a specific data set.
I can develop and assess a hypothesis, executing a appropriate statistical test, and then describe the result with possible statistical errors (Type I and II) in a data set.
USING PROBABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS
I can recognize when statistical/probability analysis is needed to solve a given problem.
I can use and identify a variety of statistical/probability analysis methods and
select the most appropriate method to solve a given problem.
I can evaluate and apply the most appropriate statistical/probability analysis methods to solve a given problem that will inform a decision.