I have decided to test a group of pupils in order to investigate if there is a difference in ability to estimate the size of an angle and the length of a line.

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I have decided to test a group of pupils in order to investigate if there is a difference in ability to estimate the size of an angle and the length of a line. The factors that can be looked at are as follows: -

  • Set
  • Gender
  • Location of line / angle

In order to test all these factors I will need a range of pupils selected at random from a range of sets. I have decided that 18 pupils, selected from three sets will be appropriate for my investigation. I will select 6 pupils, three male and three female, from sets 1, 3 and 5. The quota of eighteen pupils I will use from the sets will give me an appropriate, representative sample.  

Since there are three different ability sets of pupils (sets 1, 3, and 5) that are to be tested, with a wide gap between them I should be able to see clearly from any graphs and tables I draw any results trends or patterns which may suggest that the intelligence of a pupil does affect there ability to estimate the length of a line and the size of an angle.

I have selected an even number of male and female subjects for my investigation with the same number from each ability set of pupils, using this information and results I collect I should be able to draw conclusions upon whether the sex of a pupil determines there ability to estimate the length of a line and the size of an angle.

I aim to also see if the location of the line or angle determines a person’s ability to estimate the length of a line or size of the angle. I propose to do this by placing various lines and angles within shapes, i.e. is it easier to estimate the circumference of a circle or the length of a straight line, to see if this deceives the test subject or makes it easier.

In order to carry out my investigation I will have to prepare a test sheet of various angles and lines to present to each of the pupils in each of the sets. I will also require a results table in order to record my findings. I have decided that five different lines and five different angles would be sufficient to draw suitable conclusions from, for testing whether the location of the line or angle determines how easy it is for the pupils to estimate them. The five lines I will use will be: -

  • A straight line
  • One side of a triangle
  • A randomly shaped line
  • A circle
  • A zigzag line.

I think that these lines will be sufficient enough to be tested. The variety of lines will help me later with making conclusions about the investigation.

Predictions

I believe that the lower down the set the person is in the less accurate there guesses as to the length of the line or the size of the angle will be. I think this as people in the higher sets are more intelligent hence can have a more educated guess.

I believe that the gender of pupils will not affect their results but I think there will be a slight difference between the two.

        I think the location of the line will affect people’s estimates because people may be misleading making them think parts of objects to be larger than what they already are. Also it may confuse people, people may think that a triangle has to be the same size and one may be longer. I think that the location will affect people’s estimates.

         I think that the randomly curved line will be difficult to estimate because of its shape and there being no straight lines so people being tested will make random guesses. Also I the circle too because of its shape and people will find it difficult without any straight lines help them with their estimates. I also think that the zigzag line will be difficult again due to its shape.

I think the straight line will be the easiest to estimate as people will be able to relate to the line and will have a better chance of estimating the correct length. A person would easily be able to do this, as it isn’t hard to estimate a centimetre and people could use this to estimate the length of the line.

Data Collection  

           In order to collect data for my investigation I had to devise a suitable sample for my test. The sample was split into two sections in which the pupils had to estimate. The first section tested ability to estimate the length of five lines in five different situations. Each of the lines were measure accurately before in centimetres and then the pupils were asked to estimate.

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          In the second section the ability to estimate the size of five angles in five different situations. Each of the angles were measured accurately before in degrees and then the pupils were asked to estimate.

  People that were being tested were given no time limit to estimate the size of the lines and angles.

So I am able to collect results from all sets. I will test one of the three sets, and two other people will test another set each. The tests that each pupil will undertake will be identical no matter there sex, or set.

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