Skills for Computing

28 November 2017

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

Question 1 Marks

A researcher records the average daily temperature and the number of hot drinks
sold by a café on seven successive days. The results are recorded in the table.

Day Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Average 13 15 22 20 18 16 21
temperature/ °C
(𝑥)
Number of hot 48 41 7 12 11 19 9
drinks sold (𝑦)

a) Rank the results and calculate the Spearman rank correlation coefficient for this 7
data above. Give your answer to two decimal places.

Page 2 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks

Day Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Average 13 15 22 20 18 16 21
temperature/ °C
(𝒙)
Number of hot 48 41 7 12 11 19 9
drinks sold (𝒚)
Rank (𝒙) 1 2 7 5 4 3 6

Rank (𝒚) 7 6 1 4 3 5 2
𝒅 = 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒙 − -6 -4 6 1 1 -2 4
𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚
𝟐
𝒅 36 16 36 1 1 4 16 𝜮𝒅𝟐
= 𝟏𝟏𝟎

𝟔𝜮 𝒅𝟐
𝒓 = 𝟏 − 𝒏(𝒏𝟐 −𝟏)

𝟔× 𝟏𝟏𝟎
= 𝟏 − 𝟕(𝟕𝟐 −𝟏)

𝟔𝟔𝟎
= 𝟏 − 𝟑𝟑𝟔

= −𝟎. 𝟗𝟔 (to 2 d.p.)

Award 1 mark for correct rank ( 𝒙) values.

Award 1 mark for correct rank (𝒚) values.
Please note that candidates may rank values from high to low or low to
high. Either is acceptable as long as they are consistent with both 𝒙 and 𝒚
values
Award 1 mark for correct 𝒅 = 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒙 − 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚 row
Award 1 mark for correct 𝒅𝟐 row.
Award 1 mark for correct 𝜮𝒅𝟐 value. This may be in the table or substituted
into the formula.

1 mark for correct workings in calculation of 𝑟 and 1 mark for correct value
of 𝑟
Maximum for (a): 7 marks

b) Comment on the value of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient found in 2

question 1(a).
The coefficient indicates a strong (1 mark) negative correlation (1 mark).

c) Which type of graphical representation would be best to represent this data? 1

Scatter graph (1 mark).

Total 10 Marks
Page 3 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
Question 2

Lin surveys all the households along a small road. She asks them how many people
live in their household. The responses are recorded below.

1 3 5 4 3
2 2 3 4 3
3 5 1 2 2
5 2 4 3 4

a) Is Lin using primary or secondary data? Explain your answer. 2

Lin is using primary data (1 mark).
It is the original data/ She has collected the data herself (1 mark)
Please accept any valid explanation.

b) Use this data to complete the table below: 2

Number of people Frequency

in each household

Page 4 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks

Number of Frequency
people in each
household

1 2

2 5

3 6

4 4

5 3

2 marks for all correct, deduct 1/2 mark per error for a max of 2 mark
deduction.

c) Draw a bar chart of the data. Use the graph paper provided. 6

2 marks for bar chart with gaps between bars and equal width of bars. 2
marks for using number of people in each household on horizontal axis
and frequency on vertical axis. 2 marks for accurate plotting of bars –
deduct ½ mark per error, 0 mark if all wrong.

Total 10 Marks

Page 5 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
Question 3

A researcher is investigating shopping habits.

a) Give an example of variable associated with shopping habits that is:

i) Qualitative 1
Name of preferred shop.
(Please accept any valid example.)

ii) Discrete 1
Numbers of times people shop each month.
(Please accept any valid example.)

iii) Continuous 1
Amount of time people spend shopping.
(Please accept any valid example.)

b) One of the survey questions asks people how many times they shop each week.
The responses are below:

1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 5 7 7

i) Calculate the range of the data. 1

The range is
7–1=6

ii) Calculate the median and mean of the data. 4

The mean is :

𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟑 + 𝟑 + 𝟑 + 𝟓 + 𝟕 + 𝟕 𝟒𝟖
= =𝟑
𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟔

(1 mark for working, 1 mark for correct answer)

There median is found by arranging the values in order of size (already

done) and taking the middle value or the mean of the middle two values
if there are an even number of values.
(𝟐+𝟐) 𝟒
Median = =𝟐=𝟐
𝟐

(1 mark for valid workings, 1 mark for correct answer.)

Page 6 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
iii) With reference to this set of data and your answer to question (bii), explain 2
the difference between the mean and median as measures of average.
The mean takes into account all values in the data set and so is
affected by the extreme values – in this example the two 7s.
The median is not affected by the extreme values; it gives a more
typical value.
(Award up to 2 marks for any two valid comments. If candidate does
not refer to this particular set of data then deduct 1 mark)

Total 10 Marks

Page 7 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
Question 4

A publishing company based in the US is deciding whether to launch an Italian

version of one of their magazines. The management team has decided to apply the
Six Hats method to the problem.

a) The Six Hats method is going to be applied ‘in parallel’. Explain what this means. 1
This means that each member of the group involved in the discussion
wears one hat and engages in the discussion using only that viewpoint.
(Award 1 mark for valid description).

b) Describe the role of the black hat and suggest how the wearer might respond to 4
the idea of launching an Italian version of the magazine. Is the wearer of the
black hat involved in predominantly right-brained or left-brained activity?
The black hat is cautious, critical and careful. (1 mark)
The role of the black hat is to look for weaknesses in any ideas generated
(1 mark).
In this discussion they would outline the disadvantages and negative
aspects of launching an Italian version of the magazine (1 mark).
(The answer above is only intended to be indicative. Please give credit for
any reasonable description of the role of the black hat)

The wearer of the black hat is primarily involved in left-brained activity (1

mark).

c) What colour hat would the chair or facilitator wear at the meeting? Explain the 4
role of this colour hat.
The chair or facilitator would wear the blue hat (1 mark).
The blue hat is cool and detached (1 mark).
It controls and organises the process (1 mark)
It is used to make a selection judgement at the end (1 mark).

(The description of the role is only intended to be indicative. Please give

credit for any reasonable description)

d) State the colour of a hat that is primarily involved in right-brained thinking. 1

Award 1 mark for any one of red, yellow or green.

Total 10 Marks

Page 8 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
Question 5

a) Explain why Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is important for IT 4

professionals. Give an example of an activity that could contribute to the CPD of
an IT professional.
CPD is important as the fast paced and dynamic nature of a technology –
based environment means that skills, knowledge and competencies need
to be continually reviewed and updated (1 mark).
By engaging in CPD, IT professionals can keep up-to-date with
technologies (1 mark), thereby ensuring that they remain employable (1
mark).

This answer is only intended to be indicative. Award up to 3 marks for valid

comments and explanation.

Examples of activities include professional courses, seminars,

conferences, reading IT publications, journal articles and podcasts. Please
award 1 mark for any valid example.

b) Write down the in-text reference for the following book. 3

Title: Creative thinking and problem solving.
Author: C. Hampton
Page number: 19
Year of publication: 2016
Publisher: DT Press
Location of publisher: Madrid

(Hampton, 2016:19)

(Award 1 mark for each correct item. If reference correct but in wrong order
deduct 1 mark)

c) Give ONE (1) reason why referencing correctly 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.
(The answer above is only indicative. Award 1 mark for any valid reason)

Page 9 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 Marks
d) Explain speed reading and give ONE (1) example of speed reading. 2

Speed reading involves extracting the key points of information from a

source as quickly as possible (1 mark. Please give credit for valid
alternative description.)
Examples of something that might be speed read include a company
newsletter. Please give credit for any valid example.

Total 10 Marks

End of paper

Page 10 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
 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

Page 11 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017
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

Page 12 of 12
Skills for Computing © NCC Education Limited 2017