Skills for Computing

6 March 2018

Marking Scheme
This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of
model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a
question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is
correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.

If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials
should be the first authority.

Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.

Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure
that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
 Answer ALL questions
Marks
Question 1

The height (cm) and arm span (cm) of a group of students are recorded in the table
below.

Arm span (cm) Height (cm)

(𝑥) (𝑦)
155 164
183 178
165 166
160 153
164 167
190 195

a) Construct a scatter plot of the data using graph paper. You should plot ‘Arm span 6
(cm)’ on the horizontal axis and ‘Height (cm)’ on the vertical axis. You should give
your scatter plot an appropriate title and label both the horizontal and vertical
axes.

Award 1 mark for an appropriate title.

Award 1 mark for horizontal axis – scale and label appropriate.
Award 1 mark for vertical axis – scale and label appropriate
Award ½ mark for each correctly plotted point up to a maximum of 3 markss.

Total of 6 marks available.

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 Marks
b) Find the median value of the arm span data. 2
First put the data into ascending order:
155 160 164 165 183 190

There are six values so the median is calculated as:

𝟑𝒓𝒅 + 𝟒𝒕𝒉 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝟏𝟔𝟒 + 𝟏𝟔𝟓
= = 𝟏𝟔𝟒. 𝟓
𝟐 𝟐
(Award 1 mark for working, 1 mark for correct answer.)

c) Find the mean of the arm span data. 2

The mean arm span is given by:

𝟏𝟓𝟓+𝟏𝟔𝟎+𝟏𝟔𝟒+𝟏𝟔𝟓+𝟏𝟖𝟑+𝟏𝟗𝟎
cm
𝟔
= 𝟏𝟔𝟗. 𝟓 cm

Award 2 marks for clear workings and correct numerical answer. Award 1
mark if workings clear but answer incorrect.

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 2

This question concerns the same set of data as Question 1. The table is reproduced
below.
Arm span (cm) Height (cm)
(𝑥) (𝑦)
155 164
183 178
165 166
160 153
164 167
190 195

a) Calculate Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the data. Give your answer to three 6
decimal places.

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 Marks

Arm span (cm) Height (cm) 𝒙𝒚 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐

(𝒙) (𝒚)
155 164 25420 24025 26896
183 178 32574 33489 31684
165 166 27390 27225 27556
160 153 24480 25600 23409
164 167 27388 26896 27889
190 195 37050 36100 38025
𝜮𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟕 𝜮𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝜮𝒙𝒚 𝜮𝒙𝟐 𝜮𝒚𝟐
= 𝟏𝟕𝟒𝟑𝟎𝟐 = 𝟏𝟕𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟓 = 𝟏𝟕𝟓𝟒𝟓𝟗

Award ½ mark for 𝜮𝒙 and ½ mark for 𝜮𝒚.

Award 1 mark for correctly completed 𝒙𝒚 column and 𝜮𝒙𝒚
Award 1 mark for correctly completed 𝒙𝟐 column and 𝜮𝒙𝟐
Award 1 mark for correctly completed 𝒚𝟐 column and 𝜮𝒚𝟐
Give credit for other appropriate workings not presented in tabular form

Using
𝒏𝜮𝒙𝒊 𝒚𝒊 − 𝜮𝒙𝒊 𝜮𝒚𝒊
𝑹=𝒓=
√(𝒏𝜮𝒙𝟐𝒊 − (𝜮𝒙𝒊 )𝟐 )(𝒏𝜮𝒚𝟐𝒊 − (𝜮𝒚𝒊 )𝟐

𝟔(𝟏𝟕𝟒𝟑𝟎𝟐) − 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟕(𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟑)
=
√(𝟔(𝟏𝟕𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟓) − 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟐 ) × (𝟔(𝟏𝟕𝟓𝟒𝟓𝟗) − 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟐 )

𝟓𝟒𝟐𝟏
=
√𝟑𝟓𝟔𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟐𝟓

= 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎𝟖 (to 3 d.p.)

So the Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.908 (to 3 dp)

Award 1 mark for correct workings in calculation of 𝒓 and 1 mark for

correct value of 𝒓

b) Comment on the result found in question 2 (a). 2

The correlation coefficient suggests a strong (1 mark) positive (1 mark)
correlation.

c) Is the data collected quantitative or qualitative? Explain your answer. 2

Quantitative (1 mark) since the data is numeric (1 mark).

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks

Question 3

A researcher is undertaking a survey of 600 visitors to a wildlife park.

a) One of the questions asks the visitors how far they have travelled to the wildlife
park. The mean distance is 25 miles with a standard error of 10 miles.

i) Will the data collected be continuous or discrete? Explain you answer. 2

Continuous (1 mark)
The data can take any value (within a range). Award 1 mark for any
valid reasonable explanation.

ii) Briefly explain what is meant by the spread of a data and state the spread of 2
the distance people have travelled to the wildlife park.
This is the range of values that lie within one standard error of the
mean (1 mark).
For these results the spread is 20 miles (1 mark).

b) Another question asks the visitors to describe their experience of visiting the
wildlife park.

i) Is this data scientific? Explain your answer. 2

No the data is not scientific (1 mark)
It is based upon people giving their opinion; it depends on the people
being asked. It is not reproducible (Award 1 mark for any valid
explanation).

ii) Is this data primary or secondary data? 1

Primary

c) The researcher conducts the survey on Saturdays, what type of error would this 1
introduce?
Bias

d) The survey is conducted at a later date with 480 respondents. Which survey is 2
more reliable? Explain your answer.
The first survey is more reliable (1 mark) since the number of respondents
is greater (1 mark).

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 4

The management team of a newspaper are developing a strategy to increase

circulation (sales).

a) State what the first phase of the TASC cycle is called and explain what it 2
involves.
The first phase of the cycle is the ‘Gather/ Organize’ phase. (Award 1 mark)

This phase involves gathering or organizing all existing knowledge within

the working group. After the relevant knowledge is recalled it needs to be
recorded and organised. (Award 1 mark for a valid description)

b) Briefly explain how the first phase of the TASC cycle be applied to this problem 2
and give an example of one of the tools you could use during this phase.
In this example the type of knowledge to be gathered involves knowledge
related to circulation figures (Award 1 mark for how the phase might be
applied to this problem).
Either brainstorming or mind-mapping are examples of tools that could be
used at this stage.
(Award 1 mark for a valid tool)

c) The third phase of the TASC cycle is the ‘Generate phase’. Give an example of a 1
comment or suggestion that might be made during this phase.
Examples of a comment or suggestion include: discounting the newspaper,
increase advertising etc.
(Award 1 mark for any valid comment or suggestion)

d) Give an example of a tool that can be used during the third phase of the TASC 2
cycle. State whether this phase involves left-brained thinking, right-brained
thinking or combined thinking.
Tools that can be used include brainstorming, ‘blue-sky’ thinking, lateral
thinking and metaphors (Award 1 mark for one valid example of a tool).
This phase involves right-brained thinking. (1 mark)

e) State what the seventh phase of the TASC cycle is called and explain what it 2
involves.
The seventh phase of the cycle is called ‘Communicate’ (1 mark).
During this phase the learning experience is shared with others (1 mark)

f) Give an example of one of the tools you could use during the seventh phase. 1
Tools that can be used include presentations and reports (Award 1 mark for
a valid example).

Total 10 Marks
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 Marks
Question 5

a) Give ONE (1) reason why referencing is important. 1

Possible reasons include
• A reference helps you to find the original source should you need to
check something again
• A reference helps readers to find the original source that is being
referred to
• Gives readers confidence in your work if they know where
information has come from
• Makes it clear that you have not plagiarised the work
• By referencing you are acknowledging the source which is a
courtesy to the author.
(Candidates should be awarded 1 mark for any valid reason up to a
maximum of 1 mark. The answer above is only indicative.)

b) Give an example of a piece of feedback you have received during your study of 5
this unit. The feedback could be from your tutor, another student or a family
member. Explain how you have used this feedback to improve your learning.
There is obviously no single correct answer to this question as it is based
on the individual student’s experience. It is important that the student
states what the feedback actually was. Award up to 2 marks for this.
The student should then explain how they have acted upon the feedback to
improve their learning. You should award up to 3 marks for a good
explanation. Award 1 or 2 marks for an answer that is basically correct but
lacks detail.

c) Explain the term ‘Lifelong Learning’. Give an example of an activity undertaken 4

during leisure time and explain how it could contribute towards lifelong learning.
Lifelong Learning’ is the idea that learning does not happen only in your
youth as preparation for a career, but should continue throughout your life
with varying levels of formality. (Award up to 2 marks for a valid definition.)

Award 1 mark for stating an activity and 1 mark for explanation of how it
contributes towards lifelong learning.
Obviously, there is not a single correct answer but an example of the type
of answer required would be:

Playing football (1 mark) contributes towards lifelong learning through the

development of team building skills (1 mark)
Or
Playing chess (1 mark) contributes towards lifelong learning though
development of problem solving skills (1 mark).

Total 10 Marks

End of paper
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 Formula sheet

1. Percentage points of the normal distribution

1 1

-z z

1 15.87% 15% 5.00% 2.50% 2.28% 1.00% 0.50%

 68.27% 70.00% 90.00% 95.00% 95.45% 98.00% 99.00%
Z 1.0000 1.0364 1.6449 1.9600 2.0000 2.3263 2.5758

2. Formulae

Spearman’s Rank Correlation (with no ties)

6 ∑ 𝑑2
𝑟𝑠 = 1 −
𝑛(𝑛2 − 1)

The Pearson Correlation Function

𝑛 ∑ 𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑖 − ∑ 𝑥𝑖 ∑ 𝑦𝑖
𝑅=𝑟=
√(𝑛 ∑ 𝑥𝑖2 − (∑ 𝑥𝑖 )2 )(𝑛 ∑ 𝑦𝑖2 − (∑ 𝑦𝑖 )2 )

Simple Linear Regression

𝑦̂ = 𝑚𝑥𝑖 + 𝑐 is the least SSE straight line where:

∑(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅ )(𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦̅) 𝑛 ∑ 𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑖 − ∑ 𝑥𝑖 ∑ 𝑦𝑖

𝑚= 𝑚=
∑(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥̅ )2 𝑛 ∑ 𝑥𝑖2 − (∑ 𝑥𝑖 )2

𝑐 = 𝑦̅ − 𝑚𝑥̅

The Coefficient of Determination

∑(𝑦̂ − 𝑦̅)2
𝑅2 = 𝑟 2 =
∑(𝑦 − 𝑦̅)2

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Marking note

Multiply original mark out of 50 by two to produce final mark out of 100 to be recorded.

Learning Outcomes matrix

Question Learning Outcomes Marker can differentiate

assessed between varying levels of
achievement
1 4 Yes
2 2, 4 Yes
3 2, 4 Yes
4 3 Yes
5 1, 5 Yes

Grade descriptors

Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction

Be able to use Draw upon and Draw upon a variety Draw upon a wide
various skills to make use of an of skills and make range of skills and
support the study of adequate range of an appropriate make a highly
Computing skills selection appropriate
selection
Be able to Demonstrate Demonstrate strong Demonstrate highly
communicate in a adequate standard and consistent skilful, exemplary
technical of communication standard of standard of
environment communication communication
Be able to deploy Demonstrate Demonstrate sound Demonstrate highly
thinking skills and adequate and appropriate effective deployment
problem-solving deployment of deployment of skills of skills and
paradigms in both a skills and and paradigms paradigms
business and paradigms
learning context.
Be able to handle Demonstrate Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability
and present data ability to perform to perform the task to perform the task
the task consistently well to the highest
standard
Understand the need Demonstrate Demonstrate robust Demonstrate highly
for lifelong learning adequate level of level of comprehensive level
understanding understanding of understanding

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