This is the home page for the Spring 2017 Statistics class at Marlboro College. If you are in the class, log-in at the top-right of the screen to access more menu options on the left. A copy of the handout from the intro class is attached at the bottom of this page.

Statistics is the science---and art---of extracting data from the world around us and organising, summarising and analysing it in order to draw conclusions or make predictions. This course provides a grounding in the principles and methods of statistics. Topics include: probability theory; collecting, describing and presenting data; hypothesis testing; correlation and regression; and analysis of variance. Two themes running through the course are the use of statistics in the natural and social sciences and the use (and abuse) of statistics in the news media. We will use the open source statistical computing package R (no prior computing experience is assumed).

The course is in three parts:

We'll cover the important numerical summary numbers (mean, median, standard deviation, interquartile range, etc.) and spend a lot of time on the graphical display of data. We'll both analyse graphs made by others, especially in the news media, and make them ourselves using ggplot2, an extension to R.

This is where we cover the background mathematical theory related to uncertainty. Expect dice, cards, coin tossing and so on.

Lastly we'll see how to use statistical tests to make statements about the real world. Tests certain to be covered are the t-test, ANOVA, linear regression and the \(\chi^2\) test. If time allows we'll also look at multiple regression or some non-parametric tests.

If you are logged in, you should be able to see a list of links under the heading "student" on the left. There are two that you should look at frequently. The "preparation" page will list what you need to have done for each class (reading, practice exercises, etc.). We'll usually talk in more detail about it in the preceding class too, but this will be the page that lets you stay on top of the day-by-day work of the course. The second is the "assignments" link. This contains the parameters and deadlines for all of the graded assignments and also a way to submit them online (sometimes it will be more appropriate to put handwritten solutions in the envelope by my office door). These two will be updated regularly through the semester.

The "resources" link is also important. This has links to the course text and software and lots of additional sources, some of which will be required (and you'll know this from the preparation page and/or class) and lots of which will be generally useful stuff to help you progress.

The "wiki" link is one we can all see and edit. This will probably be used for group projects and linking to sources you want to bring to class discussion. The "roster" one tells you who is in the class (and what they looked like on their first day at Marlboro).

Finally, "grades" will let you know what your grades for the graded assignments are. Note that if you get the assignment to me via any other means than through this site your grade will be listed as "late" until I grade it even if it is in on time. Don't worry if you see this!

You are expected to be aware of the college's policy on academic integrity and to abide by it. Please come and talk to me if anything is unclear.

http://cs.marlboro.edu/ courses/ spring2017/stats/ home
last modified Monday January 16 2017 11:26 am EST