Statistical Methods and Applications

Description

Think of a problem from your degree major that interests you. You will use this problem throughout the entire course, so choose carefully. There is an Application Index starting on page XIX of the textbook that might prove to be helpful. You might also look at the datasets in Statdisk for ideas, but don’t use any of them.
Create a scenario for your problem and gather or make up data to include one qualitative and two quantitative variables relating to your scenario and 15 data values. Be sure to include the units of measurement for the variables.

Discussion – Week 1
COLLAPSE
Week 1 Discussion: Getting Started
Statistics are all around us, whether we notice them being used or not. From public policy, health, economics, science, and culture to which foods a fast-food restaurant is going to serve next can all be influenced by statistics. In this Discussion, you will apply the definitions of terminology learned this week. Every area of study has its own vocabulary and statistics is no exception. So, it may take some extra effort to master it.
To prepare for this Discussion:
• Review the Week 1 Discussion Resources
• Think of a problem from your degree major that interests you. You will use this problem throughout the entire course, so choose carefully. There is an Application Index starting on page XIX of the textbook that might prove to be helpful. You might also look at the datasets in Statdisk for ideas, but don’t use any of them.
• Create a scenario for your problem and gather or make up data to include one qualitative and two quantitative variables relating to your scenario and 15 data values. Be sure to include the units of measurement for the variables.
• Review the rubric that will be used for grading.
Example: I am a nurse interested in the relationship between gender, weight, and systolic blood pressure. My data is as follows:
Gender Weight (lb.) Systolic Pressure (mm Hg)
M 150 144
F 110 100
M 225 140
M 250 113
M 275 128
F 125 98
F 150 94
M 235 138
F 176 128
M 267 116
M 145 132
F 136 88
M 285 126
F 178 130
F 112 100
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 1
By the end of Day 1, you can post your scenario and data for your Instructor to review. If you do not submit this by the end of Day 1, you will need to proceed to submit the entire Discussion on Day 3.
By Day 3
Post a 2- to 3-paragraph response that includes the following information:
• Describe your scenario and the variables that you are using.
• Post your dataset in your Discussion.
• Fill in the following table for your variables and explain why you made the choices you did.
Variable Qualitative/Quantitative Continuous/Discrete Level of Measurement

• After you have completed the scenario with the dataset and table with the information on your variables, discuss any problems you have had this week in learning the terminology and vocabulary. Also, include what you did to overcome this problem.