Analyse and evaluate data — AQA GCSE Physical Education

This skill asks you to read data from a basic presentation, then analyse it and evaluate it. Interpretation comes first: state what the figures show, for example a performer's heart rate rising from 70 beats per minute at rest to 150 beats per minute after exercise. Analysis then breaks the pattern into parts and links cause to effect, such as higher intensity producing a greater rise. Evaluation then judges worth and limitation: how reliable the reading is, what it does not tell you, and what conclusion is justified. Work through the data in that order, quote the actual values, and keep every judgement tied to the evidence shown.

A table presents data in rows and columns, and reading it correctly means matching the right row to the right column heading before you use a value. Check the units in each heading, such as seconds, metres or beats per minute, and note whether a column shows a total, an average or a single trial. When a question asks you to analyse a table, compare values across rows or columns and identify the trend; when it asks you to evaluate, judge whether the table supports a stated conclusion. A common trap is reading a value from the wrong row or ignoring the unit, which changes the meaning of the figure entirely.

A bar chart displays data in separate rectangular bars whose heights or lengths represent values for distinct categories, such as the number of students choosing each sport or the count of injuries by body part. In GCSE PE data analysis you read the category labels on one axis and the scale on the other, then compare bar heights to identify the highest, lowest and relative frequencies. Bars are separated by gaps because the categories are discrete, not continuous. You should check the scale intervals before comparing, describe differences precisely (for example, twice as many), and link the pattern to a sporting context such as participation or fitness-test results.

A line graph plots points joined by a line to show how a value changes, usually over time or against another continuous variable, such as heart rate during exercise or a fitness score across weeks of training. In GCSE PE data analysis you read the axes and scale, identify the plotted points, and describe the trend: whether the line rises, falls or stays level, and how steeply. You should distinguish a steady increase from a sharp change, note any plateau, and link the trend to a sporting explanation, for example recovery of heart rate after exercise. Continuous data suits a line graph because the points connect meaningfully.

A pie chart shows how a whole set of data splits into parts, with each sector's angle proportional to its share of the total. In physical activity and sport, a pie chart could show the proportion of a squad's training time spent on different fitness components, or the share of a season's matches won, drawn and lost. To analyse one, read the sector labels and check that the sectors sum to the whole (360° or 100%). To evaluate, judge what the chart lets you conclude and what it hides: it shows proportions but not totals, so a 25% sector could mean 5 sessions or 500. Compare sectors to identify the largest and smallest shares, then state a practical implication, such as which component is under-represented in training.