STATISTICS I

MA 140

Catalogue Description

Statistics I is a study of mode, median, standard deviation, various descriptive techniques, the binomial and normal distributions, and an introduction to statistical inference. Statistical concepts are applied primarily to the natural and social sciences, business administration, and criminal justice using packaged software such as Minitab.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra (Ma 112).

Goals

A. To introduce the student to various methods of describing data that are applicable to a

wide variety of disciplines in the natural and social sciences.

B. To teach an understanding of statistical measures sufficient to prevent the students from making grossly erroneous conclusions from the statistical reports he reads.

C. To introduce the student to some basic ideas of inferential statistics so that s/he can pursue these concepts in greater depth or to a greater degree of specialization at a later date. To give the students exposure to simple articles and situations in which

statistics is used.

D. To give students exposure to simple research articles and to arguments

based on statistical validity

E. Students will be able to discuss and critically analyze popular press articles that use statistics.

Procedures

A. Lecture/Discussion

B. Use of Minitab Software in Math Resource Center

C. Written and oral discussions of the nature and validity of statistics and its importance.

D. Homework and discussion and meaning of the material covered in the homework

E. Required reading of the text and other articles

Course Content

A. Introduction and basic definitions

B. Organization of Data

1. Discrete Data/Frequency Tables

C. Measures of Central Tendency

1. Mean

2. Median

3. Mode

4. Written and oral discussion of the distinctions

D. Measures of Dispersion

1. Range

2. Mean deviation

3. Variance (population/sample)

4. Standard deviation (population/sample)

E. Measures of Position

1. Percentiles, quartils, deciles

2. Standard scores

F. Probability

1. Sample space/event

2. Compound events

3. Mutually exclusive events

4. Probability of A given B

5. Independent events

6. Complementary events

G. Probability Distributions/Discrete Random Variables

1. Definition of random variable

2. Written and oral discussion of randomness and random variables and their place in the world.

2. Discrete probability distributions

3. Mean and variance

4. Binomial distribution

H. Probability Distribution for Continuous Random Variables

1. Normal/standard normal distribution and applications via table

2. Normal approximation to the binomial distribution

3. Central limit theorem (not proved) and its applications

I. Inference using the Standard Normal Distribution

1. Estimating a population mean

a) confidence intervals

b) maximum error of estimate

2. Estimating a population proportion

3. Decision making on a population mean (hypothesis testing)

4. Decision making concerning a population proportion

5. Discussion of decision making

Evaluation methods

1. Students will be graded on their ability to solve statistical problems and to explain the rationale for the solutions and the methods used.

2. Quizzes on assigned readings and discussion topics and statistical problems

These quizzes will be one exam

3. Three additional exams

4. Comprehensive final testing definitions and explanations of concepts, solving problems.

5. Students will write a review of, and explain, a statistical research paper or write a reaction paper to a statistical video.

6. Computer labs: Students will use computer software, such as Minitab,

to analyze real world data, and they will write a report based on their analysis.

Bibliography

Required Text: Johnson, Robert, Just the Essentials of Elementary Statistics, Duxbury Press, 1995.

Anderson, Sweeney, Williams, Introduction to Statistics: Concepts and Applications, 3rd Edition, West Publishing Co., 1994.

Freund, J., Modern Elementary Statistics, 7th Ed., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice Hall, 1988.

Groeneveld. R.A., Introductory Statistical Methods, Boston, Ma.,

PWS-Kent, 1988.

Haack, D., Statistical Literacy: A guide to Interpretation, North Scituate, Ma: Duxbury Press, 1979.

Huff, D., How to Lie with Statistics, New York, N.Y., W.W.. Norton, 1954.

Kohler, H., Essentials of Statistics, Glenview, Ill., Scott, Foresman and Co., 1989.

Kvanli, A.H., Statistics, A Computer Integrated Approach, St. Paul, Mn., West Publishing Co., 1989.

Weiss, N.A., Elementary Statistics, Reading, Ma., Addison-Wesley, 1989.

Wheeler, M., Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics, New York, Dell, 1976.

Software

Anderson, Richard, Student Edition of Mathcad , Addison Wesley Pub., Reading, Mass., 1988.

Schaefer, Robert & Anderson, Richard, Student Edition of Minitab, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Ma., 1989.