Module 1: Sampling and Data (Chapter 1)

You are probably asking yourself the question, "When and where will I use statistics?" If you read any newspaper, watch television, or use the Internet, you will see statistical information. There are statistics about crime, sports, education, politics, and real estate. Typically, when you read a newspaper article or watch a television news program, you are given sample information. 

With this information, you may make a decision about the correctness of a statement, claim, or "fact." Statistical methods can help you make the "best educated guess."

Since you will undoubtedly be given statistical information at some point in your life, you need to know some techniques for analyzing the information thoughtfully. Think about buying a house or managing a budget. Think about your chosen profession. The fields of economics, business, psychology, education, biology, law, computer science, police science, and early childhood development require at least one course in statistics.

Included in this chapter are the basic ideas and words of probability and statistics. You will soon understand that statistics and probability work together. You will also learn how data are gathered and what "good" data can be distinguished from "bad."

Image Caption: We encounter statistics in our daily lives more often than we probably realize and from many different sources, like the news, the weather, the lab, and the classroom. (credit: David Sim)

• Recognize and differentiate between key terms.
  

• Classify data as qualitative or quantitative, continuous, discrete, or neither.
• Determine types of graphs appropriate for specific data.
• Apply various types of sampling methods to data collection.

• Determine the level of measurements for variables.
• Create and interpret frequency tables.

• Classify variables used for conducting an experiment.
• Identify the ethical concerns that arise when conducting a study.

1. Read the Module 1 Introduction (see above).
   
2. Read Sections 1.1 - 1.4 of Chapter 1: Sampling and Data in Introductory Statistics (links to each Section provided below)
3. Complete the MyOpenMath Homework Assignments for the topics in the Chapter (links provided below) - These are graded!
   
4. View the Chapter 1 Review (link provided below)
5. Practice the problems in the Chapter 1 Practice and Homework, checking the solutions provided (links to each provided below)
   
6. Submit the Chapter 1 Project I: Data Collection Experiment or the Chapter 1 Project II: Sampling Experiment (links to project and submission link provided below)
7. Complete the MyOpenMath Quiz for Chapter 1 (link provided below) - This is graded!
8. Once you complete the Quiz, upload your work in the Quiz Work Upload Assignment using the submission link below.
9. Post in the Chapter 1 Q&A Discussion Forum - link provided below.
   

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities