Text: Statistics, 4Th Edition by Freedman, Pisani and Purves
MATH 1680 Outline
Text: “Statistics,” 4th edition by Freedman, Pisani and Purves
(Updated by Lucia Liu; 08/20/11)
Notes on the text. This textbook demands to be read by both student and instructor. It provides numerous examples of the proper use of statistical techniques and examples of misapplications. Some of these erroneous applications of statistics are subtle, so the instructor needs to be prepared for student questions. The text provides a wonderful introduction to the practice of statistics. It emphasizes concepts and pushes the student to truly understand these concepts. While calculating (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression values, confidence intervals) is an important component of the text (and of statistics), the text to be read, not just to serve as a reference for formulas and homework problems.
The material for this class is broken into six distinct blocks, not necessary of equal length or intensity.
Recommended Material to be Covered in a 15 Week Semester
Block 0:The method of comparison (chapter 1 &2)
- Controlled Experiment
- Minimizing Bias
- Observational Studies
Introduction to statistical concepts, uses and misuses of statistics, controlled and observational studies.
Cover these chapters in depth. It is recommended that the instructor go through several of the review problems with the students
Block 1:Descriptive Statistics and Normal Approximation (chapter 3, 4, 5)
- Central tendency measures and spread measures
- Histograms and box-and-whisker plots
- Standardization and normal approximation
- Measurement errors
Chapters 4 Data analysis and descriptive statistics.
It may be helpful to cover chapter 4 before chapter 3. The need to visually represent data, say, with a histogram can be motivated with examples of data sets which are not represented well by summary statistics (mean and standard deviation).
Chapter 3 Visualization of data.
Material in this chapter can be supplemented with box and whisker diagrams, and with examples of bad data visualizations readily available in newspapers such as USA Today.
Chapter 5 Normal curve.
Mastery of this chapter is absolutely essential for success in later chapters. Be prepared for some confusion when you cover percentiles.
Block 2:Correlation and Regression (chapter 8, 9, 10)
- Correlation
- Linear regression
Introduction to correlation, association and regression.
Some students find the calculations involved in this material tricky. Do many examples. It is recommended that chapters 11 and 12 be skipped in MATH 1680
Block 3:Probability (chapter 13-18)
- Axioms and properties of probability
- The binomial distribution
- The law of averages
- Expected value and standard error
- Normal approximation using the Central Limit Theorem
Probability Theory.
Students generally have a difficult time with probability concepts. Do many examples in class and go over the assigned homework. On the other hand, guard against slowing the pace of the class down too much. The questions in the text seem to be at the correct level for the type of student enrolled in MATH 1680. Be careful of introducing questions from other textbooks.
Block 4:Sampling and Parameter Estimation (chapter 19,20,21&23)
- Sample design
- Simple random sampling
- Sample average/percentage and standard error
- Estimation of percentages and averages, confidence intervals
Sampling.
An essential concept in this course. Cover this topic in depth. Be prepared for some student confusion about the SE for a sum, for an average, for a proportion, and the relationship between the SE for a sample and the SD for the population.
Block 5: Test of significance (chapter 26)
- Z-test
- Significance of results
- Applying the z-test
Optional chapters, as time allows:
Chapter 6, 11& 27
Exams:You should give 3 exams (20% each ) plus a comprehensive final (25%). The second exam should be graded and returned before the last day a student can drop with a "W."
Exam 1 covers block 0 & 1.
Exam 2covers block2
Exam 3covers block3
Final is comprehensive
Homework:
There will be a total of 19 homework assignments, all found in the workbook( or text book). They will be given out after the day’s lesson, up to 10 problems per chapter covered. The homework should account for 15% of the grade.
Grades:
Exam 1,2 &3----20% each(regular exams represent 60% of your final grade)
Homework------15% total
Final exam------25%
Calculators: TI 83, TI 83 Plus, TI 84, TI 84 Plus or equivalent, their use will be supported in class. TI 89’s, TI 92’2 or any other utility with alphanumeric/CAS capabilities ARE NOT permitted. A calculator may not be shared during an exam.
Course Coordinator: Lucia Liu (GAB 413, )