Types of data: past paper questions
Real questions on types of data
The newest 20 of 25 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(i)[2]
Describe one practical/methodological strength of this part of the procedure. Do not refer to sampling or ethics in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(ii)[2]
Describe one practical/methodological weakness of this part of the procedure. Do not refer to sampling or ethics in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[1]
State what the means show about the ages of the two groups.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[1]
State what the standard deviations show about the ages of the two groups.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · May/June 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
State which measure of central tendency Kong should use to analyse his data from timing the duration of eye contact.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · February/March 2025 · Q12c(iii)[2]
Explain one reason for your choice of type(s) of data.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2024 · Q7a(ii)[2]
For the measure of success you suggested in part (a)(i): Identify the type of data produced by this measure of success. Justify your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2024 · Q10c(iii)[2]
Explain one reason for your choice of type(s) of data. Health Psychology
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2024 · Q12c(iii)[2]
Explain one reason for your choice of dependent variable.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[2]
Identify the type of data provided by counting the words in the narratives. Justify your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · May/June 2024 · Q7c(ii)[1]
State one strength of question F.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · May/June 2023 · Q8a[2]
Suggest an objective measure of ‘success at learning a language’ that Leila could use. Justify your answer. Do not use a self-report rating scale.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[1]
State what is meant by a ‘measure of spread’.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[2]
State one advantage of using the standard deviation compared to one other measure of spread.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · February/March 2022 · Q4[2]
State two features of a normal distribution.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2021 · Q9b[2]
Explain the type of data Naomi is collecting.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · May/June 2020 · Q7c[2]
Identify the most appropriate measure of central tendency for Maria to use with the responses to her first question. Include a reason for your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · May/June 2020 · Q1[2]
Describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative data.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · May/June 2020 · Q5a[1]
State what these descriptive statistics measure.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · May/June 2020 · Q5b[2]
Explain one advantage of the standard deviation compared to the range.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
As has been mentioned, if the bullet points of the question have been included in the part (a) plan then the answer to this question is very straightforward. Many candidates were awarded full marks, but others either had not addressed types of data in their plan, or never gave more than a generic ‘quantitative data can be statistically analysed’ which will never earn two marks. Candidates should a...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9990/42 Q12(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to suggest an objective measure. At a simple level, this meant constructing a measure to produce numerical data. However, the question stated that a self-report rating scale could not be used, so candidates suggesting a rating scale scored 0 marks. Candidates also scored 0 marks for suggesting an open-ended questionnaire or suggesting asking a question that result...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9990/21 Q8(a) (Cambridge)
There were very few correct answers here. Where the mark was not earned, the candidate had typically given a circular response, using the term ‘spread’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9990/23 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
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