Math 117: Elementary Statistics – Computer Lab

Goals

The computer lab is a place to explore, apply, and more deeply understand concepts from the classroom and textbook. As much as possible, we will use real data sets and examples. Although the computer will do most of the calculations, we will grapple with the important steps of selecting the correct analysis, checking any conditions of the analysis, and interpreting the results. In an effort to aid your understanding of certain topics, the lab session will also be used for small group work, activities, and simulations.

Assignments

At the end of some lab sessions, I will give a basic data analysis assignment. This assignment may consist of one part or multiple parts, and it will be due at the next computer lab meeting. Please see me if you have any questions about the assignments, expectations, or the use of PASW Statistics 17 (previously known as PASW). Also, make use of my detailed computer-lab handouts—these are distributed so you can recall our steps in lab. Spend time working through the appropriate use of SPSS—which might include a bit of struggle—before asking for help.

Availability of Briggs 421

During the day, Briggs 421 is typically available (unless it is being used for a classroom presentation or lecture); in the evening, it is open until 11:00 p.m. Since PASW is on the network, you can access it from any computer lab on campus.

Tentative Lab Schedule

Date	General Material
T 1/4 R 1/6	No labs
T 1/11 R 1/13	Introduction to SPSS (now PASW), one-variable graphs, and numerical summaries
T 1/18 R 1/20	Two-variable analysis: tables, scatterplots, correlation, and regression analysis
T 1/25 R 1/27	General data analysis
T 2/1 R 2/3	Discussion of sampling distributions (Section 3.4), and in-class activity
T 2/8 R 2/10	No labs – reading period
T 2/15 R 2/17	Probability review problems
T 2/22 R 2/24	Sampling distribution of proportions and averages
T 3/1 R 3/3	Sampling-distribution activity