Mathematics Internal Assessment
Standard Level
Research question: How does the percentage of ball possession affect the
number of goals scored by Premier League teams?
Candidate code: ksh100
1
,Table of contents
Table of contents................................................................................................................2
Introduction....................................................................................................................... 3
Methodology..............................................................................................................4
Exploration.........................................................................................................................4
Chi-Squared Test of Independence...............................................................................5
Linear Regression Analysis...........................................................................................9
Conclusion........................................................................................................................14
Evaluation................................................................................................................. 15
Bibliography..................................................................................................................... 19
2
, Introduction
Football has intrigued me ever since my father introduced me to the club Leicester City. In
the last few years, especially during the pandemic, I began to understand football as more
than just people kicking a ball around on the grass. I began to realise that quality football is
based on a combination of a cohesive team and an insurmountable amount of talent
working alongside each other. In the world of football, it is clear to see that every pass,
dribble or tackle is observed and analyzed by enthusiasts all around the world, and one of
the key statistics that captivate the eyes of analysts alike is possession. Ever since, I now
understand the importance of ball possession as it plays an increasingly important role in
allowing teams to control the game and dictate its pace. Playing cohesive football is all about
the build-up play, a tactic that adopts a possession based football that stems around the
idea of passing the ball to split and tire the oppositions defence. Thus possession allows
teams to patiently attack and look for openings whilst tiring out their opponents. I have
understood how vital a methodological and patient strategy is in football as more modern
teams begin to adapt their performances to maximise their ball possessions. Thus, this IA
aims to invesitagte how total possession affects a team's ability to score goals in the
Premier League. By delving into the numbers of the game, this IA could have the potential to
enlighten about the strategic elements that enhance the sport.
Methodology
To answer this question, I will select a wide sample of premier league teams and possessions
alongside goals. Approximately 30 or more samples will be collected to satisfy a “large
enough” sample1. A range of statistics will be used to discover if there is a positive or
1
Sample Sizes - Statology
3
Standard Level
Research question: How does the percentage of ball possession affect the
number of goals scored by Premier League teams?
Candidate code: ksh100
1
,Table of contents
Table of contents................................................................................................................2
Introduction....................................................................................................................... 3
Methodology..............................................................................................................4
Exploration.........................................................................................................................4
Chi-Squared Test of Independence...............................................................................5
Linear Regression Analysis...........................................................................................9
Conclusion........................................................................................................................14
Evaluation................................................................................................................. 15
Bibliography..................................................................................................................... 19
2
, Introduction
Football has intrigued me ever since my father introduced me to the club Leicester City. In
the last few years, especially during the pandemic, I began to understand football as more
than just people kicking a ball around on the grass. I began to realise that quality football is
based on a combination of a cohesive team and an insurmountable amount of talent
working alongside each other. In the world of football, it is clear to see that every pass,
dribble or tackle is observed and analyzed by enthusiasts all around the world, and one of
the key statistics that captivate the eyes of analysts alike is possession. Ever since, I now
understand the importance of ball possession as it plays an increasingly important role in
allowing teams to control the game and dictate its pace. Playing cohesive football is all about
the build-up play, a tactic that adopts a possession based football that stems around the
idea of passing the ball to split and tire the oppositions defence. Thus possession allows
teams to patiently attack and look for openings whilst tiring out their opponents. I have
understood how vital a methodological and patient strategy is in football as more modern
teams begin to adapt their performances to maximise their ball possessions. Thus, this IA
aims to invesitagte how total possession affects a team's ability to score goals in the
Premier League. By delving into the numbers of the game, this IA could have the potential to
enlighten about the strategic elements that enhance the sport.
Methodology
To answer this question, I will select a wide sample of premier league teams and possessions
alongside goals. Approximately 30 or more samples will be collected to satisfy a “large
enough” sample1. A range of statistics will be used to discover if there is a positive or
1
Sample Sizes - Statology
3
