SURVEY STATISTICS
WELCOME!
Welcome to Survey Statistics! In statistics, calculations are only half the solution. The other half (and equally essential and important) are interpreting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. So it is essential that students fully understand the concepts and vocabulary to be successful in this course.
Topics
Survey Statistics is a one-semester elective course offered to seniors who have successfully completed (at least) Algebra II. We will be learning:
-Statistical Literacy (including bias, misleading graphical representations, parameter vs. statistic, cause and effect vs. association, sampling variability, etc.)-
Exploratory data analysis (including numerical and graphical/data visualization, measures of central tendency and spread)
-Different types of data (categorical, numerical, discrete, continuous, etc.)
-Simulation using online applets, statistical software, etc.
-Experimental design vs. observational studies
-Multi-variate data analysis
-Introduction to R programming language
-Various statistical software, programs, applets (including Stat Key, GapMinder, Google Trends, etc.)
-Probability
A complete description of the course is outlined in the course orientation (syllabus) which is provided to the student within the first week of the semester.
* Subject to revision as necessary
Textbook
The textbook we will use this semester is Statistics & Probability with Applications by Doug Tyson. We will have full e-access (no physical, printed textbook). Recommended materials for the course include pencils, an eraser, spiral notebook or 3-ring binder with notebook filler paper.
Grades & Assignments
I will use Infinite Campus for all grades in the course. Infinite Campus is a grade and attendance program that all of Hart District schools use; it makes it possible for parents (and students) to see their student’s grades and their attendance regularly. Please make use of this program to stay informed on your student’s current grades and their progress in the class. The Hart District's website provides a link for parents to use https://hartdistrict.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/hart.jsp , or you can connect directly using: https://hartdistrict.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/students/hart.jsp
LEARNING RESOURCES:
REACTION TIME & MEMORIZATION APPS
We will use these websites to collect and analyze data from our class as well as for various projects. We can compare many scenarios... dominate hand vs. non-dominate hand, with vs. without distractions, males vs. females, etc.
or (either the above link or the below link should go to the same place)
PEW RESEARCH CENTER: METHODS 101
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.
Pew Research Center is launching Methods 101, a new occasional video series dedicated to explaining and educating the public about the basic methods they use to conduct survey research. Their first video (link below) is about random sampling. The video explains what it means and why it’s important. Run time: about 2.5 minutes.
STATISTICS TOOLS, SOFTWARE, APPLETS
StatKey Lock 5 is a collection of web-based statistics applications. It has built-in data sets or you can import data if you wish.
If you are confused or need extra help with using StatKey, extra help can be found at:
GapMinder. The mission of Gapminder Foundation is to fight devastating ignorance with a fact-based worldview that everyone can understand. We started the Ignorance Project to investigate what the public know and don’t know about basic global patterns and macro-trends. We use surveys to ask representative groups of people simple questions about key-aspects of global development.
When we find large knowledge-gaps, we know what teaching materials we should develop. The first results from surveys and Sweden were published in 2013. As the project evolves we will investigate many more countries. The test questions and results will be made freely available under Creative Commons Attribution License.
Let's take a look at a brief 4-minute video (200 Years, 200 Countries, The Joy of Statistics) by Hans Rosling (founder of Gapminder):
Now go to https://www.gapminder.org/ then click on Try Our New Tools. It's your turn to explore this website. Use the Gapminder Exploration Activity Worksheet below. Have fun exploring.
Now let's take a look at a 15-minute video on Gapminder's Dollar Street by Anna Rosling Ronnlund (Hans Rosling's daughter):
Stapplet.com. This is a nice little applet we can use for simulation. Go to: www.
http://stapplet.com/ then click on Tabor and Franklin Statistical Reasoning in Sports
Rossman Chance Applet Collection A collection of applets addressing data analysis, sampling distribution simulations, and probability and inference. Many of the applets are very easy to use and can be figured out without a lot of direction. Several of the applets include engaging visuals and vivid colors, and all of the applets are interactive. The data analysis applets are particularly strong and include good step-by-step instructions and thought-questions for students. This applet also has built-in data sets or students may import data sets.
http://www.rossmanchance.com/applets/
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY VS. EXPERIMENT: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE?
View the below two videos as a class, then each group must come up with an example of an observational study, and then change something about that observational study to turn it into an experiment. We will also discuss why is it important to understand the difference between an observational study vs. an experiment (we are limited to what our conclusions can be depending on if the study is an observational study or an experiment).
Video Notes on Observational Study vs. Experiment. View the videos below while completing video notes (electronic copy of video notes is at the bottom of this page). Note: An epidemiological study is what we will call an observational study.
Is the following news report discussing an observational study or an experiment? Explain your reasoning.
How about the following marshmallow video? Are the four key components there for a well-designed experiment?
How about the following mall/drop $ video? Are the four key components there for a well-designed experiment?
Do very young babies know the difference between good and bad? Watch the following 5-minute experiment video. Are the four key components of present for a well-designed experiment?
Social Conformity Experiment video (3 minutes):
The Power of Positivity video (4 minutes):
Crash Course on Various Types of Studies (10-minute video):
VIDEO NOTE YOU TUBE LINKS:
Statistical Studies & Producing Data VIDEO NOTES link
Exploratory Data Analysis VIDEO NOTES (Mod 7) link
Exploratory Data Analysis VIDEO NOTES (Mod 8) link
Exploratory Data Analysis VIDEO NOTES (Mod 9) link
Exploratory Data Analysis VIDEO NOTES (Mod 10) link
Two-Way Tables, Probability VIDEO NOTES (Pages 1-3) link
Two-Way Tables, Probability VIDEO NOTES (Page 4) link
Two-Way Tables, Probability VIDEO NOTES (Page 5-6) link
Bi-Variate Data 1 , Describing Relationships VIDEO NOTES link
DATA SETS GALORE!
Go to
http://math.hope.edu/isi/ and click on Data Sets in upper left corner. You can then download any of these data sets you want into InZight LIte. See above for directions on how to do that import.
MULTI-VARIATE DATA VISUALIZATION:
See Power Point at the below of this page.
USCOTS ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS
Your project idea should be one that is academic in nature and one you can find prior research about. It can be a replication of a previous study or something totally original. Most likely it should be on something that answers a small part of some bigger question. Below are some topics for you to think about so you can come up with your own project idea. You might want to consider integrating one/some of the apps reference at the top of this page into your project.
What is associated with brain lateralization? Gender, handedness, math ability, etc.
Can people memorize objects better if they are shown the objects in pictures or in words?
Did you just cut me off? See if a person reacts to being cut in line by a specific gener and whether males and females respond differently.
Do age, gender, major, distraction, etc., affect memory?
I need to make a call. Find out if male or female students are more likely to lend a phone to a stranger. Does saying 'please' help?
Does listening to different types of music affect a person's reaction time?
Do energy drinks give you energy? Does consumption of an energy drink allow students to complete more sit ups?
Does what one considers a serving size differ with gender, age, or athlete/non-athlete?
Can people accurately estimate the length of a short event like a song snippet?
Size estimates. Do people estimate the amount of a food item differently if they are given a small spoon or a large spoon, a small bowl or a large bowl, etc.?
Do people like the taste of water better if they think it costs more?
Does the amount of candy in a bowl effect whether or not people obey the sign that says take only one?
Do men and women differ on whether or not they tell someone they have some food on their face?
What factors are related to people being able to follow directions when given a short quiz?
Do reaction times differ depending on the time of day? With distractions? Amount of sleep?
Do reaction times differ depending on whether they use their dominant or non-dominant hand on the computer mouse?
Does exercising help ones ability to memorize?
Is there a relationship between the time of day and whether or not someone yawns when yawned at?
Will watching certain videos affect someone's emotional state?
Is there a relationships between the time it takes someone to recognize a Magic Art figure (hidden image stereograms) and that person's age? Gender? Handedness?
Can people memorize pictures of objects easier when the pictures are in color versus black and white?
Do people prefer a name brand cereal over a store brand in a non-blind taste test and then also in a blind taste test?
Do gamers have faster reaction times than non-gamers?
Will offering an incentive increase the likelihood someone will complete a survey?
Is recall affected by whether or not you take notes on a computer or by hand?
When deciding on a project topic, think of one that is of interest to you and will be something that could contribute to some broader topic.
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MISCELANEOUS
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