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Why Statistics? meaningful questions - systematic methods

Statistics is about more than just numbers. It is about asking meaningful questions, using systematic methods, and finding answers that have context and significance. Discover the power of statistics and its relevance in various disciplines.

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Why Statistics? meaningful questions - systematic methods

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  1. Why Statistics? meaningful questions - systematic methods

  2. General Overview • “In most mathematics courses, the problem is solved when you obtain the numerical answer. In statistics, the problem is just beginning.” • Daren Starnes

  3. General Overview • “Statistics is about data. Data are numbers, but they are not just numbers. Data are numbers with a context.” • YMS, p. xii

  4. General Overview • “All models are wrong. Some models are useful.” • George E.P. Box • “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” • Benjamin Disraeli

  5. General Overview • “53.8% of all statistics are made up.” • The back of a package of wipes from Hooters

  6. General Overview • “An anonymous sage once defined a statistician as “one who collects data and draws confusions.” • CCMC, p. 1

  7. Statistics vs. Other Math Courses • “The formation of a statistics question requires an understanding of the difference between a question that anticipates a deterministic answer and a question that anticipates an answer based on data that vary.” • ASA, 2005

  8. Statistics vs. Other Math Courses • Context • Variability • Estimation • Research Design • Data Collection • Interpretation • Writing

  9. Statistics vs. Other Math Courses • Context • Variability • Estimation • Research Design / Data Collection • Writing

  10. Statistics vs. Other Math Courses • How fast is this car going? • Leads to a single discreet answer – Mathematical Thinking • How fast are cars going on I-85 between I-77 and Concord Mills? • Involves Context, Variability, Estimation, Research Design, and Writing – Statistical Thinking

  11. Why Statistics? • Some understanding of statistics helps all educational leaders in the current policy climate. • Program evaluation • Emphasis on test scores • NCLB • Becoming a reflective practitioner • Becoming a researcher / practitioner

  12. How Does Statistics Work? • The Population • The group about which you wish to make conclusions or generalizations • Defined by specific characteristics • For our example dataset this semester • All public school elementary teachers in the U.S. during the 1999-2000 school year

  13. How Does Statistics Work? • The Sampling Frame • The best available list of the members of the population • Should be as close actual population as possible • For our example dataset this semester • The list of all public schools in the U.S. according to the Common Core of Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

  14. How Does Statistics Work? • The Sample • The group of participants you obtain for your study • Should be representative of the population • For our example dataset this semester • The participants in the Schools and Staffing Survey, 1999-2000 cohort • Public school teacher questionnaire, full time only

  15. How Does Statistics Work?

  16. How Does Statistics Work? • Parameters • Quantitative indexes that describe characteristics of the population • The population “true scores”, what we would get if we collected data from the entire population, the result of conducting a census • Statistics • Quantitative indexes that describe characteristics of the sample • The sample values that become our best guesses, or estimates, of population “true scores”, called parameters

  17. Statistical Reasoning • This course is about learning to use statistical reasoning to help offer some types of evidence as parts of the answers to questions about educational policy: • Test theories • Evaluate educational interventions / strategies • Answer meaningful educational questions

  18. The Curriculum • Descriptive Statistics / Exploratory Data Analysis • Correlation / Regression • Probability • Inferential Statistics • Means • Proportions / Percentages

  19. Getting Started • USA Today polls example • Electoral Vote tracker site • Gallup Polls • The course website

  20. Course Overview • There is more than one way to unravel a statistics problem. • Connections with most disciplines abound in statistics.

  21. Course Overview • Make your midterm, final, and class presentation count for you. Find a dataset that has utility and meaning for you.

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