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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Use statistical methods to analyse data 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262538  Use statistical methods to analyse data 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Statistics 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Mathematical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of statistics. Learners would be able to contribute to a quality hierarchy of skills required to provide quality services in statistics by using statistical methods to analyze data.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Use graphical methods to explore and present data.
  • Calculate and interpret sample statistics.
  • Fit and interpret linear regression models.
  • Perform chi-square tests.
  • Perform non-parametric tests. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics NQF Level 4.
  • Communication NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Use graphical methods to explore and present data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Graphical and tabular representations are produced to explore data in view of the purpose of the investigation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Representations includes but are not limited to bar charts, box plots, stem-and-leaf plots, dot plots and histograms.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Graphical and tabular representations are interpreted in order to draw preliminary conclusions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Graphical and tabular representations are used to detect outliers in the data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Graphical and tabular representations are used to present results. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Calculate and interpret sample statistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different and appropriate numerical summary statistics are calculated to explore the behaviour of the data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Numerical summary statistics include but are not limited to the mean, median, proportion, variance, standard deviation and coefficient of variation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The calculated values of summary statistics are interpreted in terms of the survey objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A numerical summary statistic is selected in order to make comparison between data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The limitations of the summary statistics are explained in order to assist their interpretation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient is calculated to examine the strength of relationship between variables. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Fit and interpret linear regression models. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A scatter plot is constructed using a computer software to explore the relationship between variables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A scatter plot is interpreted in order to decide whether a linear relationship exists between variables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Least squares estimates are calculated using computer software in order to fit a regression line. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Residual analysis is performed to determine validity of the normality assumption. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform chi-square tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate null and alternative hypotheses are stated for a given problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data are organized into a contingency table to prepare for a chi-square test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A chi-square test is performed using computer software to test for independence or homogeneity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A p-value from the test is interpreted in order to draw conclusions about the study problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Assumptions of the chi-square test are stated in order to evaluate the validity of the test. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Perform non-parametric tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate non-parametric test is selected and performed for testing a hypothesis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The limitations of the specific non-parametric test are discussed in order to assess the validity of the test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The assumptions of a non-parametric test are stated so as to make correct use of the test. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Non-parametric tests are compared to facilitate choice of an appropriate test for use in a given context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Spearman's rank correlation coefficient is calculated to examine the strength of relationship between variables. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurer (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area, post qualification.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Computer software.
  • Graphical and tabular representations.
  • Numerical summary statistics.
  • Contingency tables.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Purpose of the investigation.
  • Decision making.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Sample summary statistics.
  • Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient.
  • Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
  • Least square estimators.
  • Residuals.
  • Normality assumption.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • Statistical inference.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Calculation of summary statistics.
  • Chi-square tests of independence and homogeneity.
  • Non-parametric tests.
  • Least squares estimation.
  • Residual analysis.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Statistical Offices.
  • National Statistics Act.

    Theory, rules, laws, principles:
  • Numerical summary statistics.
  • Linear regression models.
  • Chi-square tests.
  • Non-parametric tests.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Between graphical and tabular representations of data and statistical inference.
  • Between summary sample statistics and statistical inference. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Recognising the problem to be solved and selecting the appropriate statistical method to analyse data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Team work in projects.
  • Consultation with supervisor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Planning and using statistical methods. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Obtaining and interpreting summary statistics.
  • Determining the appropriate statistical method. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Interpreting the strength of the relationship between variables in terms of the context provided.
  • Interpreting sample statistics when describing the behaviour of the data.
  • Drawing meaningful conclusions in the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Calculating different and appropriate numerical summary statistics to explore the behaviour of the data.
  • Making decisions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Connecting the sequential steps of analysing data.
  • Recognising the influences of statistical inference on the social, political, economic, legislative and environmental contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.