Showing papers in "Journal of Statistics Education in 2008"
TL;DR: In this article, the first studies on the teaching and learning of statistics appeared in the research literature, the scholarship in this area has grown dramatically, and given the diversity of disciplines, meth...
Abstract: Since the first studies on the teaching and learning of statistics appeared in the research literature, the scholarship in this area has grown dramatically. Given the diversity of disciplines, meth...
134 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide practical examples of how statistics educators may apply a cooperative framework to classroom teaching and teacher collaboration, based on the premise that statistics instruc....
Abstract: This paper provides practical examples of how statistics educators may apply a cooperative framework to classroom teaching and teacher collaboration. Building on the premise that statistics instruc...
93 citations
TL;DR: This manuscript uses the computational libraries developed by the Statistics Online Computational Resource (SOCR) to design a new interactiveJava applet and a corresponding demonstration activity that illustrate the meaning and the power of the CLT.
Abstract: Modern approaches for information technology based blended education utilize a variety of novel instructional, computational and network resources. Such attempts employ technology to deliver integr...
82 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the relationship between inclusion of a student-designed data collection project in an introductory statistics course and 6 components comprising students' attitudes toward statistics and found that inclusion of such a project may not significantly affect students' attitude toward statistics.
Abstract: Students often enter an introductory statistics class with less than positive attitudes about the subject. They tend to believe statistics is difficult and irrelevant to their lives. Observational evidence from previous studies suggests including projects in a statistics course may enhance students' attitudes toward statistics. This study examines the relationship between inclusion of a student-designed data collection project in an introductory statistics course and 6 components comprising students' attitudes toward statistics. The sample consisted of 42 college students enrolled in an introductory statistics course. Comparisons of those who completed the student-designed data collection project (n = 24) and those who did not complete the project (n = 18) suggest that inclusion of a project may not significantly impact students' attitudes toward statistics. However, these findings must be viewed as only a preliminary step in the study of the effect of projects on attitudes toward statistics.
73 citations
TL;DR: This paper used data collected from Kelly Blue Book for several hundred 2005 used General Motors (GM) cars to develop a multivariate regression model to determine car values based on a variety of c...
Abstract: Data collected from Kelly Blue Book for several hundred 2005 used General Motors (GM) cars allows students to develop a multivariate regression model to determine car values based on a variety of c...
67 citations
TL;DR: The authors identify and discuss misconceptions that students have in making judgments of center and variability when data are presented graphically, and present an assessment addressing interpreting center and variance in the context of data visualization.
Abstract: This paper identifies and discusses misconceptions that students have in making judgments of center and variability when data are presented graphically. An assessment addressing interpreting center...
63 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the post test.
Abstract: The objective of the study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the posttest....
59 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of modalities that can be used to make learning statistics fun is presented, including humor, song, and cartooning, as well as practical implementation tips.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of modalities that can be used to make learning statistics fun. Representative examples or points of departure in the literature are provided for no less than 20 modalities. Empirical evidence of effectiveness specific to statistics education is starting to emerge for some of these modalities — namely, humor, song, and cartoons. To reinforce their effectiveness as an intentional teaching tool, the authors offer practical implementation tips.
49 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe an instructional approach that spans the entire semester of a statistics course and consists of several aspects including cognitively rich individual assignments, small group activities, and a student-led scoring activity.
Abstract: Although graduate students in education are frequently required to write papers throughout their coursework, they typically have limited experience in communicating in the language of statistics, both verbally and in written form. To succeed in their future careers, students must be provided with opportunities to develop deep understandings of concepts, develop reasoning skills, and become familiar with verbalizing and writing about statistics. The instructional approach described here spans the entire semester of a statistics course and consists of several aspects including cognitively rich individual assignments, small group activities, and a student-led scoring activity. To demonstrate the impact of this approach on student learning, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from students in two statistics courses. Several assessments indicate improvement in students' reasoning and understanding, written and verbal communication, and confidence.
31 citations
TL;DR: Two applets that have been developed as aids in illustrating ideas relevant to hypothesis testing are introduced and described and how they have been used in my classes are described.
Abstract: Interactive applets have the ability to enhance statistics teaching by providing multiple representations of new concepts and by facilitating experimentation. I introduce two applets that have been developed as aids in illustrating ideas relevant to hypothesis testing and describe how I have used these in my classes.
21 citations
TL;DR: This paper argued that those who believe incorrectly that Statistics is solely a lie teach how to lie with data, and that statistics teachers often have to push back against the popular impression that Statistics teaches how to manipulate data.
Abstract: Statisticians and Statistics teachers often have to push back against the popular impression that Statistics teaches how to lie with data. Those who believe incorrectly that Statistics is solely a ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe 27 National Science Foundation supported grant projects that have innovations designed to improve teaching and learning in introductory statistics courses and compare the characteristics of these projects with the six recommendations given in the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) College Report 2005 for teaching an introductory course in statistics.
Abstract: This paper describes 27 National Science Foundation supported grant projects that have innovations designed to improve teaching and learning in introductory statistics courses. The characteristics of these projects are compared with the six recommendations given in the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) College Report 2005 for teaching an introductory course in statistics. Through this analysis, we are able to see how NSF-supported introductory statistics education projects during the last decade achieve the GAISE ideals. Thus, materials developed from many of these projects provide resources for first steps in implementing GAISE recommendations.
TL;DR: In this paper, it can be challenging when teaching regression concepts to find interesting real-life datasets that allow analyses that put all the concepts together in one large example, and it can also be challenging to teach regression concepts in real-world datasets.
Abstract: It can be challenging when teaching regression concepts to find interesting real-life datasets that allow analyses that put all the concepts together in one large example. For example, concepts lik...
TL;DR: This paper developed new course materials for a general introductory statistics course designed to engage students in statistical discovery, which was part of an NSF funded project, and used to train a statistical discovery class.
Abstract: As part of an NSF funded project we developed new course materials for a general introductory statistics course designed to engage students in statistical discovery. The materials were designed to ...
TL;DR: In many universities' business degrees, students will undertake an introductory statistics course and lecturers need to help these students appreciate and recognise the value of possessing knowledge of statistics as discussed by the authors...
Abstract: As part of many universities' Business degrees, students will undertake an introductory statistics course. Lecturers need to help these students appreciate and recognise the value of possessing qua...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the development of a biostatistical collaboration course aimed at graduate students in a Health Research Methodology PhD program with Specialization in Biostatistics, which aims to promote enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in statistical collaboration in clinical research; to enhance communication of statistical issues to non-statistician collaborators; to build statistical self-sufficiency and develop skill in applied statistics.
Abstract: Effective statistical collaboration in a multidisciplinary health research environment requires skills not taught in the usual statistics courses. Graduates often learn such collaborative skills through trial and error. In this paper, we discuss the development of a biostatistical collaboration course aimed at graduate students in a Health Research Methodology PhD program with Specialization in Biostatistics. The objectives of the course are to promote enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in statistical collaboration in clinical research; to enhance communication of statistical issues to non-statistician collaborators; to build statistical self-sufficiency and develop skill in applied statistics; and to enhance a culture of collaboration among statisticians and non-statistician researchers. The course uses a combination of lectures and tutorials led by faculty members, videotaped consulting practice sessions, and internship with mentoring of each student by an experienced biostatistician.
TL;DR: The pmg add-on package for the open source statistics software R provides a simple to use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows introductory statistics students, without advanced computing skills, to quickly create the graphical and numeric summaries expected of them.
Abstract: The pmg add-on package for the open source statistics software R is described This package provides a simple to use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows introductory statistics students, wit
TL;DR: In this paper, the efficacy of using service-learning methods to meet the GAISE guidelines was explored in a second semester business statistics course and further explores the potential advantages of assigning a service learning (SL) project as compared to the traditional statistics project assignment.
Abstract: The present study addresses the efficacy of using service-learning methods to meet the GAISE guidelines ( http:// www.amstat.org/education/gaise/GAISECollege.htm) in a second business statistics course and further explores potential advantages of assigning a service-learning (SL) project as compared to the traditional statistics project assignment. Second semester business students were given the choice of participating in a SL project or doing a traditional project assignment. When the projects were completed, students reflected on their experiences via survey. Both groups responded equally (agree or strongly agree) to the Likert scale questions: 96.15% reinforced learning objectives, 98.08% applied to real world, 84.62% positive experience. Responses to the open ended questions revealed that more students in the SL group (p = 0.019) wrote about the benefits of dealing with real world data, more SL students felt their work benefited others (65% felt their statistical expertise was valuable) and more (p=0.005) SL students felt that the experience will help them in future classes. These results suggest that while both groups were able to effectively support the GAISE guidelines, participation in the SL option offered an enhanced learning experience that included elements of social responsibility and personal growth. The experience was perceived more enjoyable and relevant to the real world adding elements of student empowerment while assisting a local agency in need of statistical expertise suggesting one can reap positive learning benefits by introducing service-learning pedagogy into a non-majors statistics course.
TL;DR: A spreadsheet tool is presented that allows teachers the opportunity to guide students towards answering on their own questions related to the multiple regression F-test, the t-tests, and multicollinearity.
Abstract: This note presents a spreadsheet tool that allows teachers the opportunity to guide students towards answering on their own questions related to the multiple regression F-test, the t-tests, and mul...
TL;DR: The similarities and differences as well as the relationships between statisticians and data miners are discussed, to bridge some of the gap between the people of these two communities.
Abstract: The field of Data Mining like Statistics concerns itself with "learning from data" or "turning data into information". For statisticians the term "Data mining" has a pejorative meaning. Instead of ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an application of statistics using real stock market data and explore the building of efficient portfolios through optimization using examples of two and three stocks, and how covariance and correlation can help the investor to diversify his or her risk.
Abstract: In this paper we present an application of statistics using real stock market data. Most, if not all, students have some familiarity with the stock market (or at least they have heard about it) and therefore can understand the problem easily. It is the real data analysis that students find interesting. Here we explore the building of efficient portfolios through optimization using examples of two and three stocks, and how covariance and correlation can help the investor to diversify his or her risk. We discuss why diversification works, but also the problems that arise in portfolio management. Stock market data can be incorporated at any level of statistics, from lower division, to upper division, to graduate courses of Mathematics and Statistics. From our experience, students find this topic very interesting and often they want to enroll in other courses related to this area.
TL;DR: In this article, a concrete and easy recognizable view of a cumulative distribution function (cdf) is presented, which can be used to increase students' understanding of CDFs.
Abstract: This article shows a concrete and easy recognizable view of a cumulative distribution function(cdf). Photograph views of the search tabs on dictionaries are used to increase students' understanding...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a project for introductory courses that blend real-world data with relevant questions and feasible instructor effort, and describe one such project, tabu....
Abstract: Finding suitable projects for introductory courses that blend real-world data with relevant questions and feasible instructor effort is often difficult. This paper describes one such project — tabu...
TL;DR: Wake County is home to the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, and to Cary as mentioned in this paper, and these cities are the fifteenth and eighth fastest growing cities in the USA respectively, helping Wake County become the ninth fastest growing county in the country.
Abstract: Descriptive Abstract: The information for this data set was taken from a Wake County, North Carolina real estate database. Wake County is home to the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, and to Cary. These cities are the fifteenth and eighth fastest growing cities in the USA respectively, helping Wake County become the ninth fastest growing county in the country. Wake County boasts a 31.18% growth in population since 2000, with a population of approximately 823,345 residents.
TL;DR: The results show that neural net based classification techniques can effectively identify students for the purpose of providing additional learning resources in a residential MBA program.
Abstract: Globalization is bringing about a radical "rethink" regarding the delivery of graduate management education. Today, many students entering a residential MBA program do not possess an undergraduate degree in business. As a result, many business schools are increasingly turning to the Internet to provide "customized" instructional content to ensure that students can remain competitive throughout the program. The purpose of this paper is threefold: 1) to estimate student performance in a residential MBA program; 2) to outline a process for identifying specific learning support resources based on student backgrounds and capabilities; and 3) to illustrate the screening process in providing business statistics support content to students requiring additional preparation. The results show that neural net based classification techniques can effectively identify students for the purpose of providing additional learning resources. Business statistics is one area in which this screening process has been used to deliver specialized content to students with a variety of backgrounds enrolled in a MBA residential program.
TL;DR: The authors developed a follow-up survey for teacher preparation programs, using the following scale development processes: adopting a framework; developing items; providing evidence of content validity; conducting a pilot test; and analyzing data.
Abstract: Students in my applied advanced statistics course for educational administration doctoral students developed a follow-up survey for teacher preparation programs, using the following scale development processes: adopting a framework; developing items; providing evidence of content validity; conducting a pilot test; and analyzing data. The students developed the survey items by using the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) principles as the framework to operationally define the knowledge and skills that highly qualified teachers should possess. The students analyzed the data from the pilot study for their final exam in the course. The follow-up survey currently is being used by our university for program evaluation, improvement, and accreditation.
TL;DR: Inspired by the research of Reading and Shaughnessy (2004), the authors modified an existing lesson from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTOMA) to give a variation on the "Gumball Task".
Abstract: Inspired by the research of Reading and Shaughnessy (2004), we modified an existing lesson from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This lesson, a variation on the “Gumball Task”, give...
TL;DR: The characteristics of these projects and the common themes which emerge are compared with the American Statistical Association's (ASA) guidelines for developing statistics education curricula for majors and minors and for teaching corresponding statistics courses.
Abstract: This paper describes 25 National Science Foundation supported projects that have innovations designed to improve education for students majoring or minoring in statistics The characteristics of these projects and the common themes which emerge are compared with the American Statistical Association's (ASA) guidelines for developing statistics education curricula for majors and minors and for teaching the corresponding statistics courses Through this analysis, we are able to see how the last decade of NSF supported projects in statistics education exemplify these ASA guidelines
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple approach to statistical inference using the method of transformations of variables is presented, which can be used to provide a simple and efficient approach for statistical inference on a large number of variables.
Abstract: The objective of the present paper is to provide a simple approach to statistical inference using the method of transformations of variables. We demonstrate performance of this powerful tool on exa...