Say only what the rows can show
A report says: "This class takes about 11 minutes to school." Is that fair?
Step 1 of 4
- The class has 16 students. 6 live across the railway crossing.
- 12 were asked at the gate. Only 2 came from the far side.
- The crossing was shut. 4 far-side students were never asked.
- So "this class takes about 11" is only a hint.
Not fully. For the 12 asked, the mean is about 11 minutes. But 4 of 16 students were never asked. So it is only a hint, not a sure result.
The rule
A conclusion is a sentence you say about the data. Wide means how many people it covers.
A conclusion is only as wide as the rows behind it. A tiny group or a missed person makes it a hint.
Here, a group under 3 rows counts as tiny.
A verdict is your decision about a sentence.
| Verdict | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The data shows it | The rows back it up. It is only about rows you have. | Most of the 12 take under 11 minutes. |
| The data hints at it | The rows agree, but a group is tiny or students were missed | Far-side students take longer. Only 2 rows. |
| The data does not show it | One row breaks it, like "everybody". Or the fact was never collected. | Everybody asked takes 15 minutes or less. Student 12 takes 45. |
A hint is still useful. Write its gap next to it, like "only 2 rows". The gap is what the rows do not cover.
Watch out!
Asking the same gate students again does not help. The far side is still missed.
Tap what the rows allow.
Loading lab…