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.