Use of data
50 exam-style questions with answers for 3.1.4 Use of data in AQA GCSE Physical Education (spec 8582). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official AQA material.
All 50 questions and answers
Question 1 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Quantitative data
Define quantitative data. [1 mark]
Answer:Data that deals with numbers and can be measured.Question 2 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Qualitative data
Define qualitative data. [1 mark]
Answer:Data that deals with descriptions, opinions and feelings.Question 3 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Quantitative data
State two methods of collecting quantitative data. [2 marks]
Answer:Questionnaires (1); surveys (1).Question 4 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Qualitative data
State two methods of collecting qualitative data. [2 marks]
Answer:Interviews (1); observations (1).Question 5 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Quantitative data
Give an example of quantitative data from a fitness test. [1 mark]
Answer:The distance covered in the Cooper 12-minute run (e.g. 2800 m).Question 6 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Qualitative data
Give an example of qualitative data a coach might collect. [1 mark]
Answer:A description of a player's technique from watching them, or their comments on how a session felt.Question 7 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Data collection
State one advantage and one disadvantage of quantitative data. [2 marks]
Answer:Advantage: it is objective and easy to compare and analyse (1). Disadvantage: it does not explain the reasons behind the results (1).Question 8 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Data collection
State one advantage and one disadvantage of qualitative data. [2 marks]
Answer:Advantage: it gives detailed reasons, opinions and feelings (1). Disadvantage: it is subjective and harder to compare (1).Question 9 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Questionnaires
State two ways to make questionnaire results reliable. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: ask a large sample (1); use clear questions (1); ask everyone the same questions in the same way (1); use closed questions to give numerical data (1).Question 10 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Observations
Explain why a coach's observation of a player is subjective. [1 mark]
Answer:It depends on the coach's opinion and judgement, which may differ from another observer's.Question 11 · Spec 3.1.4.1 · Data collection
Explain why a fitness test should be carried out in the same conditions each time. [2 marks]
Answer:So the test is fair and valid (1); and any change in results is due to fitness, not conditions such as weather or surface (1).Question 12 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Tables
State two rules for presenting data in a table. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: clear column headings (1); include units in the headings (1); independent variable in the first column (1); consistent decimal places (1).Question 13 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Bar charts
When should a bar chart be used? [1 mark]
Answer:To compare data in separate categories, e.g. participation rates in different sports.Question 14 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Line graphs
When should a line graph be used? [1 mark]
Answer:To show a trend or change over time, e.g. heart rate during a training session.Question 15 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Axes
Which variable is plotted on the x-axis? [1 mark]
Answer:The independent variable (e.g. time).Question 16 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Axes
Which variable is plotted on the y-axis? [1 mark]
Answer:The dependent variable (e.g. heart rate).Question 17 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Graph labels
State two features of a correctly labelled graph. [2 marks]
Answer:Both axes labelled with the variable (1); and units (1).Question 18 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Heart rate graph
Heart rate is measured every minute during exercise. Which graph should be drawn? [1 mark]
Answer:A line graph.Question 19 · Spec 3.1.4.2 · Participation data
Data shows the numbers of boys and girls playing five sports. Which graph should be drawn? [1 mark]
Answer:A bar chart (comparative bar chart).Question 20 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Pie charts
What does a pie chart show? [1 mark]
Answer:The proportion of a whole made up by each category.Question 21 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Pie charts
In a pie chart of 200 people, football takes up 90°. How many people chose football? [2 marks]
Answer:90 ÷ 360 = one quarter (1); one quarter of 200 = 50 people (1).Question 22 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Mean
Calculate the mean of these sit-up scores: 30, 34, 28, 36, 32. [2 marks]
Answer:Total = 160 (1); 160 ÷ 5 = 32 (1).Question 23 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Median
Find the median of these 30 m sprint times: 4.8, 4.5, 5.1, 4.6, 4.9 s. [1 mark]
Answer:Order: 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 5.1, so the median is 4.8 s.Question 24 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Mode
Find the mode of these goals scored: 2, 1, 3, 2, 0, 2, 1. [1 mark]
Answer:2.Question 25 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Range
Calculate the range of these vertical jump scores: 42, 55, 48, 51 cm. [1 mark]
Answer:55 − 42 = 13 cm.Question 26 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Percentage change
A player's Cooper run improves from 2400 m to 2640 m. Calculate the percentage improvement. [2 marks]
Answer:Improvement = 240 m (1); 240 ÷ 2400 × 100 = 10% (1).Question 27 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Line graphs
Describe the trend in a line graph that rises steeply then levels off. [2 marks]
Answer:The value increases quickly at first (1); then reaches a plateau and stays constant (1).Question 28 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Heart rate graphs
Heart rate rises before exercise starts. Explain why. [1 mark]
Answer:The anticipatory rise: adrenaline is released before exercise as the performer prepares.Question 29 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Heart rate graphs
Describe what happens to heart rate on a graph during recovery after exercise. [2 marks]
Answer:It falls quickly at first (1); then more slowly back to the resting level (1).Question 30 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Heart rate graphs
Two performers' recovery graphs are compared. Explain what a faster return to resting heart rate shows. [1 mark]
Answer:The performer has better cardiovascular fitness.Question 31 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Interpreting data
Explain why a correlation in data does not prove one thing causes another. [2 marks]
Answer:Two variables may change together by coincidence (1); or both may be caused by a third factor (1).Question 32 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Evaluating data
State two questions to ask when evaluating a set of data. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: is the sample big enough (1); was the test reliable and repeated (1); is the sample representative (1); are there anomalies (1).Question 33 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Anomalies
What is an anomalous result? [1 mark]
Answer:A result that does not fit the pattern of the rest of the data.Question 34 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Anomalies
How should an anomaly be treated when calculating a mean? [1 mark]
Answer:It should be checked and repeated or left out of the mean.Question 35 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Interpreting data
A table shows participation falls from age 16 to 24. Suggest two reasons. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: work commitments (1); lack of time (1); leaving school where sport was compulsory (1); cost (1); family commitments (1).Question 36 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Interpreting data
Data shows more men than women attend gyms. Suggest one reason. [1 mark]
Answer:Gender stereotypes, lack of female role models or self-consciousness in mixed environments.Question 37 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Interpreting data
A bar chart shows two performers' fitness test results. State how to identify each performer's strength. [1 mark]
Answer:Find the component where each performer's score is highest compared with the normative data.Question 38 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Normative data
What is normative data? [1 mark]
Answer:Data showing average results for a particular population (e.g. by age and gender), used to compare a performer's score.Question 39 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Normative data
A 16-year-old boy scores 46 cm in the sit and reach. Norms show 'excellent' is above 40 cm. Interpret the result. [1 mark]
Answer:His flexibility is excellent compared with others of his age and gender.Question 40 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Line graphs
A graph shows a runner's times improving for 6 weeks then getting slower. Suggest a reason using a principle of training. [2 marks]
Answer:Reversibility (1); training may have stopped due to injury, so fitness was lost (1).Question 41 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Line graphs
A graph shows no improvement after week 4 of training. Suggest a reason. [2 marks]
Answer:The training was not progressively overloaded (1); so the body stopped adapting (plateau) (1).Question 42 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Calculations
A performer's resting heart rate falls from 72 to 60 bpm after training. Calculate the decrease and explain it. [2 marks]
Answer:12 bpm (1); the heart has become stronger (hypertrophy), so stroke volume increases (1).Question 43 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Calculations
Calculate the cardiac output using data: stroke volume 80 ml, heart rate 60 bpm. [1 mark]
Answer:80 × 60 = 4800 ml/min (4.8 l/min).Question 44 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Calculations
Calculate a 17-year-old's maximum heart rate. [1 mark]
Answer:220 − 17 = 203 bpm.Question 45 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Bar charts
Explain why a bar chart is not suitable for showing heart rate during a match. [1 mark]
Answer:Heart rate is continuous data changing over time, which is shown better by a line graph.Question 46 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Pie charts
A pie chart shows a diet with 55% carbohydrate. Calculate the angle of this sector. [1 mark]
Answer:0.55 × 360 = 198°.Question 47 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Tables
Explain why data in a table may be more useful than a graph. [1 mark]
Answer:It shows the exact values.Question 48 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Graphs
Explain why a graph may be more useful than a table. [1 mark]
Answer:It shows patterns and trends more clearly at a glance.Question 49 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Sampling
Explain why a survey of one school is not representative of all teenagers. [1 mark]
Answer:It is a small, local sample that may not reflect other areas, ages or backgrounds.Question 50 · Spec 3.1.4.3 · Evaluating data
Explain why fitness test results may be unreliable. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: the performer may not try their hardest (1); conditions may differ between tests (1); the tester may make errors in measuring (1); no warm up (1).