Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Psychology
Course version: 1PS0 · Version from Sept 2017
Be able to: a. construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams b.…
Full specification wording
Data analysis: 11.2.3 Be able to: a. construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams b. construct and interpret bar charts c. construct and interpret histograms d. construct a scatter diagram e. use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables f. translate information between graphical and numerical forms g. plot two variables from experimental or other data and interpret graphs
Psychologists use graphical representations to analyse data.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PS0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Psychologists use graphical representations to analyse data. Frequency tables organise raw data by showing how often values occur, which can be plotted as frequency diagrams. Bar charts display categorical data (e.g., attachment types) with gaps between bars. Histograms represent continuous data (e.g., reaction times) with no gaps, where area represents frequency. Scatter diagrams plot two continuous variables (e.g., sleep hours and test scores) to identify positive, negative, or zero correlations. You must construct these accurately from experimental data, ensuring axes are labelled and scaled. Additionally, you must translate numerical data from tables into graphical forms and interpret graphs to extract values or draw conclusions.
What earns the marks
- Accurately plotting data points on a scatter diagram or bar chart.
- Correctly labelling both the x-axis and y-axis with appropriate variables and units.
- Identifying the type of correlation (positive, negative, zero) from a scatter diagram.
- Extracting specific numerical values from a histogram or bar chart to answer a question.
- Distinguishing between continuous data for histograms and categorical data for bar charts.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Drawing bars with gaps in a histogram.
Put it right: Histograms represent continuous data, so bars must touch, unlike bar charts.
Confusing the x and y axes when plotting two variables.
Put it right: Check which variable is the independent variable (usually x-axis) and dependent variable (usually y-axis), or follow specific instructions.
Assuming a strong correlation on a scatter diagram implies causation.
Put it right: State that correlation only shows a relationship between two variables, not that one causes the other.
Exam tips
- Always use a ruler and pencil when constructing graphs to ensure lines are straight and errors can be erased.
- Check the scale on both axes carefully before plotting points or reading values, as each small square may represent more than one unit.
- When asked to describe a correlation, state both the direction (positive or negative) and the strength if apparent from the scatter diagram.
Try the lesson
The start of the Data analysis: 11.2.3 Be able to: a. construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams b. construct and interpret bar charts c. construct and interpret histograms d. construct a scatter diagram e. use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables f. translate information between graphical and numerical forms g. plot two variables from experimental or other data and interpret graphs lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A psychologist creates a scatter diagram to investigate the relationship between stress levels and hours of sleep. The plotted points form a clear pattern extending from the top left of the graph to the bottom right. What does this indicate?
Listen
Psychologists use graphical representations to analyse data. Frequency tables organise raw data by showing how often values occur, which can be plotted as frequency diagrams. Bar charts display categorical data (e.g., attachment types) with gaps between bars. Histograms represent continuous data (e.g., reaction times) with no gaps, where area represents frequency. Scatter diagrams plot two continuous variables (e.g., sleep hours and test scores) to identify positive, negative, or zero correlations. You must construct these accurately from experimental data, ensuring axes are labelled and scaled. Additionally, you must translate numerical data from tables into graphical forms and interpret graphs to extract values or draw conclusions. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Accurately plotting data points on a scatter diagram or bar chart. Correctly labelling both the x-axis and y-axis with appropriate variables and units. Identifying the type of correlation (positive, negative, zero) from a scatter diagram. Extracting specific numerical values from a histogram or bar chart to answer a question. A common slip: Drawing bars with gaps in a histogram. Instead, histograms represent continuous data, so bars must touch, unlike bar charts. Exam tip: Always use a ruler and pencil when constructing graphs to ensure lines are straight and errors can be erased.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Bar charts
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Histograms
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Scatter diagrams
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Correlational relationships
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See every definition
- Bar charts
- Display categorical data, such as attachment types, with gaps between the bars.
- Histograms
- Represent continuous data, such as reaction times, with no gaps, where area represents frequency.
- Scatter diagrams
- Plot two continuous variables, such as sleep hours and test scores, to identify positive, negative, or zero correlations.
- Correlational relationships
- A correlation between two variables shown on a scatter diagram, which only shows a relationship, not that one causes the other.
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Test your understanding of Data analysis: 11.2.3 Be able to: a. construct and interpret frequency tables and diagrams b. construct and interpret bar charts c. construct and interpret histograms d. construct a scatter diagram e. use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables f. translate information between graphical and numerical forms g. plot two variables from experimental or other data and interpret graphs
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