Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Practice Activity

Once you complete your full-time education, you may want to consider where you would like to potentially live in the future. Understanding the cost of living, job opportunities and home prices can help you plan for your future destination. Considering your new home’s proximity to work is an important factor, as well as transportation and commuting options.

Think about whether the area matches your lifestyle – for example, check for local restaurants if you enjoy eating out regularly, or gyms if you like to work out.

Research suggests that these are the six most important factors to consider:

Analysing data is an important aspect of the workplace and of our everyday lives. There is so much data available to us and it is essential that we are able decide what is relevant and appropriate.

Both StatsWales and The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produce vast amounts of statistics that can help you make decisions at national, regional, and local level. Use the links below to see the types of data available for some of these factors.

2.2 – Apply methods to solve complex problems, including focused research techniques to gather primary and secondary information.

2.7 – Construct responses that are evidence based, persuasive and convincing.

2.9 – Make valid judgements and reasoned conclusions.

This is a map showing the regions of the UK.

Task 1

Task 3

Task 2

1. Pick three regions that appeal to you as potential places to live and work. Carry out research using ONS, StatsWales and any other reliable sources of secondary and primary data about:

• employment opportunities (e.g. which industries/jobs are most common)

• affordability (e.g. average price of house within the region and average wage rate for the region)

• crime rates (e.g. how likely are you to be affected by crime and which crimes are most prevalent?)

• amenities (e.g. what does the region offer?)

• proximity to family and friends (e.g. roughly how far would friends and family be?)

• commute and transportation (e.g. is there good public transport available?)

What other sources of information could I use to find secondary and primary data?

2. Based on the data you have collected, list the factors that are important to you in helping decide which of the three regions is your preference. Make valid judgements about the three regions and produce a reasoned conclusion for your decision.

How do I decide what other factors are important to me when deciding on a potential area to live?

3. Display the data you have gathered in charts/graphs/diagrams and use them to produce a persuasive infographic on the region you have selected. Include visual information on the factors that have led you to this decision.

How do I select the most appropriate charts/graphs/diagrams to display information?