Building a theory of graphicacy: How do students read graphs?

This study examined middle grades students' learning of concepts related to the use and interpretation of graphs. We view graphs as part of the process of statistical investigation. A statistical investigation typically involves four components: pose the question, collect the data, analyze the data, and interpret the results, in some order (Graham, 1987). The use of grpahis is linked to the "analyze the data" component of the statistical investigation process. Considering what it means to understand and use graphical representation is a part of what it means to know and be able to do statistics.