← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What data science is

Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful process, instead of guessing. For example, using sport or health data to find real answers.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 1

Understanding What data science is in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: The question can be answered by calculating an average from real match data instead of guessing. Data science uses evidence and a clear process, not guesses. Data can answer questions that can be measured. A 'best colour' is just an opinion. Data science checks what is really happening instead of assuming. Readings give evidence to base the decision on. Data science starts with a question and a purpose, not just collecting data. A purposeful process means the question comes first, so the data collected is relevant to it.

Common mistakes: The average sleep time is the total divided by the number of values, so it should be total / len(hours). Multiplying gives a number that does not answer the question. The mean goals per game is the total goals divided by the number of games. It should be sum(goals) / games, not multiplied.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 226–254) and word search (Modules 226–329).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Which describes data science?

Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful processMaking a guess and hoping it turns out to be right

Matches

I think our team is the best, so no need to check the scores.

↓

This is guessing based on opinion. Data science would collect and check the scores before deciding.

Applying

Meanings

Term

data science

Meaning

Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful process, instead of guessing. For example, using sport or health data to find real answers.

Practice

=ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B8),1)

Testing

Gaps

avgSteps ← (steps)

Check Answer

Spots

2total = sum(hours)

3average = total * len(hours)

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Quick Questions

1. Which describes data science?

A. Making a guess and hoping it turns out to be right

B. Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful process ✓

Data science uses evidence and a clear process, not guesses.

2. A coach wants to know if training twice a week improves sprint times. What is the data science approach?

A. Record sprint times before and after training and compare them ✓

B. Decide it works because it feels like it does

Data science uses collected data as evidence to answer the question.

3. Which is a question that data science could help answer?

A. Does average daily temperature affect how many people visit the beach? ✓

B. Which colour is the best colour in the universe?

Data can answer questions that can be measured. A 'best colour' is just an opinion.

4. A school wants to know if students get enough sleep. Which is data science?

A. Assuming students sleep 8 hours because that is the recommendation

B. Collecting sleep hours from a sample of students and analysing them ✓

Data science checks what is really happening instead of assuming.

5. True or false: Data science is just guessing with a computer.

A. False: it follows a purposeful process using data ✓

B. True: a computer just makes better guesses

Data science is a process of collecting, checking and analysing data to reach evidence-based answers.

Match the Pairs

data science → Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful process

guessing → Making a decision without checking any evidence, which data science tries to replace

A question that data science could answer in sport: which team scores the most goals per game? → SELECT team, AVG(goals) FROM games GROUP BY team;

A data science question about the environment: is this week hotter than last week? → =AVERAGE(B2:B8)>AVERAGE(B9:B15)

I think our team is the best, so no need to check the scores. → This is guessing based on opinion. Data science would collect and check the scores before deciding.

Collect any data at all, then decide what to ask. → The process is back to front. Data science starts with a clear question and then collects data that helps answer it.

Key Term

data science

Using data to answer questions and make decisions by following a purposeful process, instead of guessing. For example, using sport or health data to find real answers.

Fill in the Blanks

1. steps ← [8200, 11500, 9800, 12400] avgSteps ← AVERAGE(steps)

Hint: Type the function that calculates the mean of a list of health data.

2. IF avgSteps >= 10000 THEN OUTPUT "Goal met" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that starts a decision based on the data.

3. question ← "How often does our team win?" percent ← wins / games * 100

Hint: Type the operator that multiplies the fraction to turn it into a percentage.

4. rain ← AVERAGE(readings) OUTPUT "Mean rainfall: " + rain

Hint: Type the command that shows the answer found from the environment data.

5. total ← 0 FOR EACH temp IN temps total ← total + temp

Hint: Type the keyword that links each item to the list of temperature data.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A hours = [8, 7, 9, 6]

B total = sum(hours)

C average = total * len(hours)

D print(average)

Line C — The average sleep time is the total divided by the number of values, so it should be total / len(hours). Multiplying gives a number that does not answer the question.

Question 2

A goals = [2, 0, 3, 1]

B games = len(goals)

C mean = sum(goals) * games

D print(mean)

Line C — The mean goals per game is the total goals divided by the number of games. It should be sum(goals) / games, not multiplied.

Question 3

A temps = [31, 35, 29, 38]

B hottest = min(temps)

C print('Hottest:', hottest)

Line B — min() finds the coolest temperature. To answer 'what was the hottest day?' the code must use max(temps).

Question 4

A steps = [4000, 8000, 10000

B avg = sum(steps) / len(steps)

C print(avg)

Line A — The list is missing its closing square bracket. The line should end with ] so the health data is stored properly.

Question 5

A avg_sleep = 6

B if avg_sleep < 8

C print('Sleep more')

Line B — An if statement must end with a colon. It should be if avg_sleep < 8: so the data-based decision runs.

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