Instructions
Prerequisites
none
Software Requirements
This contents of the site can be viewed
with any of the major browsers including Mozilla, Internet Explorer,
Firefox, and Safari. QuickTime and Java are also required for some
features.
QuickTime
The multimedia presentations require QuickTime.
All Macs come with QuickTime installed. Windows users who
have installed iTunes also have QuickTime. Quicktime
can be downloaded
free from Apple Computer Inc.
Java
Finally, the simulations
and self-test programs require Java. Macs and Windows PC's
come with Java installed. The latest version of the Java
plugin can be downloaded free from Sun Microsystems. Follow
this link for the download.
Presentation Modes
The material can be viewed in three presentation
modes: standard, condensed, and multimedia. The standard mode
includes real-world examples, self-testing questions, and interactive
simulations and demonstrations. The condensed mode contains just
the critical information with few examples and no fluff. The
multimedia mode presents a lecture with audio presented over
a slide presentation. You choose the mode by the drop-down menu
labeled mode located at the upper left hand portion of the broweser
window.
Navigation
You can to to any page from the table
of contents. A link to the table of contents is always available
in the upper-right hand portion of the browser window. You can
also navigate using the "previous" and "next" buttons. Finally,
you can use the drop-down menus to specify the chapter and section
you wish to view.
Simulations and Demonstrations
Reseach by delMas,
Garfield and Chance has shown
that simulations and demonstrations are most effective when
students first anticipate the result of the simulation and then
experiment to confirm or disconfirm their expectations. The simulations
are therefore set up to encourage this activity. A simulation
or demonstration begins by asking a series of questions. No
feedback is given as the student answers the questions. The
student is then asked to use the simulation to help answer
the questions. Feedback is given this time through the questions.
Case Studies
Case studies showing the application of statistical
methods can be important for learning and motivation. The case
studies incuded here contain short descriptions of the research,
raw data, and a set of exercises.
Statistical Calculators
A stastical analysis program called "Analysis
Lab" and a set of calculators for various statistical distributions
are included in the "Calculators" chapter.
Analysis Lab
Analysis
Lab that can perform basic descriptive and inferential
statistics. Descriptive statistics include the graphic methods:
box plots, histograms, stem and leaf displays, and normal quantile
plots. Inferential statistics include independent-group t tests,
Chi Square tests, tests in simple regression/correlation, and
Analysis of Variance.
Reading/Entering Data
There are currently two "libraries" of
datasets. The default library is "RVLS_data." You can
change the library by using the pop-up menu. Just under the pop-up
menu for libraries is a pop-up menu of datasets in the library.
Choose the dataset you want to analyze. A description of the
dataset will be shown on the right side of the display. The data
from the case studies will be included in the near future.
To enter your own data, click the button labeled "Enter/Edit
User Data." A window will open with an area for you to enter
or paste in your data. You may get a warning that you must use
the keyboard shortcut to paste because your system may not allow
Java programs to read the clipboard. If you have trouble pasting
in your data, try pasting them as unformatted text into Word,
copying, and then pasting into Analysis Lab.
The first line should contain the names of the
variables (separated by spaces or tabs). The remaining lines
should contain the data themselves. Missing data cannot be handled
so all observations must have valid data for all variables. All
variables must be numeric. If one of your variables is to be
used as a "Grouping" or "Classification" variable,
then values of the grouping variable must be integers ranging
from one to the total number of groups. Use grouping variables
so that you can do a separate analysis for each level of the
variable or to use the variable as an independent variable in
an analysis of variance. Once you have entered your data, click
on the "Accept data" button. The data will be temporarily
saved so that if you click the "Enter/Edit User Data" button
again they will be shown
Choosing Variables
To analyze a variable, select it in the "Y" pop-up
menu and then click on the type of analysis you wish to perform.
To see the relationship between two variables, select one in
the "X" menu and the other in the "Y" menu.
Then click on the "Correlation/regression" button.
Specify a grouping variable to do an analysis separately for
each group of observations. You also specify a grouping variable
to conduct an analysis of variance or do a t test.
Copying/Printing
Analysis Lab does not have any copying or printing
capabilities. However, you can copy and(optionally) print by
doing a screen capture. If you are using a Macintosh with OSX,
press "4" while holding down the command (Apple), shift,
and control keys. You will be given the opportunity to select
an area of the screen to be copied to the clipboard.
If you are using Windows, make sure the window you want to copy is selected.
Then, hold down the ALT key and press the Print Screen Key key. The window
will be copied to the clipboard for pasting into another application such
as a word processor.
Distribution Calculators
A number
of distribution calculators including normal, t, studentized
t, F, and Chi Square are provided.
Problems
On occasion, some browsers do not refresh
the display. If you get a blank window, try resizing it slightly.
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