Scatter Plot Practice
The math action research team at Sample school completed a fishbone
diagram as part of the process to determine root cause of low math test scores.
Teaching strategies is one of the possible causes. While investigating the various
strategies; staff noticed that the test scores for one classroom were consistently
higher that the others in the same grade.
It was discovered that although all staff used the math games that
accompany the curriculum; one teacher had scheduled regular use of the math
games. Could this be the difference?
Mrs. Alfred scheduled 40 minutes each week for her students to play math
games. In addition, she has created a math game center. Students may attend this
center each week for additional minutes of practice time.
Mrs. Alfred agreed to record data over several units to help determine if there
is a relationship between the regular use of math games and math test scores. She
had the students keep track of the number of minutes they spent playing math
games during the next unit.
If the scatter plot shows a positive relationship – further investigation may be
indicated.
Student List
Minutes of Math Games in
9 class days (80 class
minutes)
Average Test Grade %
correct
Student 01
81
84
Student 02
50
45
Student 03
75
75
Student 04
60
52
Student 05
75
72
Student 06
80
96
Student 07
65
62
Student 08
83
82
Student 09
80
90
Student 10
78
78
Student 11
96
96
Student 12
94
94
Student 13
78
62
Student 14
88
100
Student 15
85
85
Student 16
79
88
Student 17
38
25
Student 18
87
91
Student 19
100
100
Student 20
90
99
Student 21
80
90
Student 22
91
95
Student 23
80
80
Student 24
73
73
Student 25
85
95
Student List
Minutes of Math Games in
9 class days (80 class
minutes)
Average Test Grade %
correct
Student 01
81
84
Student 02
50
45
Student 03
75
75
Student 04
60
52
Student 05
75
72
Student 06
80
96
Student 07
65
62
Student 08
83
82
Student 09
80
90
Student 10
78
78
Student 11
96
96
Student 12
94
94
Student 13
78
62
Student 14
88
100
Student 15
85
85
Student 16
79
88
Student 17
38
25
Student 18
87
91
Student 19
100
100
Student 20
90
99
Student 21
80
90
Student 22
91
95
Student 23
80
80
Student 24
73
73
Student 25
85
95