Questioning the world – statistical inquiry

This paper contributes further insight into the new paradigm of ‘questioning the world’ and study and research paths and proposes that students work with important and meaningful ‘big’ questions. The design of the project proposes ways for teachers to engage students in statistical investigations. In the lessons, the 6 grade students develop critical stance about data, but, in the statistical investigations, it transpires that the questions posed by the students and teacher are insufficient to make the students explain or justify their choices of statistical methods. The students and teacher do not appreciate the potential for statistical inquiry in their own questions, and the students do not question or justify the choice of statistical descriptors to calculate or connect these choices with their answers to the ‘big’ question.