Module 7 - Probability and Statistics

Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Activity 4 | Activity 5

Activity 5:  Taskstream

Now that you have completed Module 7, you are ready to do Tasks 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the MQTA.  Go to www.Taskstream.com to complete these tasks.

Task 5--Explain randomization, replication, comparison and control in experiments.

• Statisics.com has a good glossary to help you define the terms in this task.  Here is the link:  http://www.statistics.com/resources/glossary/r/replication.php

Task 6--Explain the difference between association & causation. Explain what is wrong with computing correlations on average.

• Define each of the terms clearly, without using the root words.  For example if you were to define the word imagery you would not use the word image in your definition.
• For part A lurking variable is a related term, and there is information on the bullets below about how to search for terms in the Agresti e-text.
• Give examples of the terms, and be sure to cite any ideas that you borrow. Here are some helpful links that you may reference:
  

  Scatter plots, association and cause & effect: http://www.netmba.com/statistics/plot/scatter/

  Association, Correlation & Causation:
  http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/~stark/SticiGui/Text/gloss.htm
  http://www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v2n2/datasets.rossman.html

• In the Agresti e-text to search for the terms go into the Index, by typing IND into the box with the page number.  A search box will pop up and you will be able to type in any key words you want to look up.
• For part C, ecological correlation/fallacy is a related term.  Also here are some sites to explore:
  

  Ecological Correlation

  http://www.stat.psu.edu/~jglenn/stat501/04linear_assoc/05linear_assoc_cautions.html
  http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/fallacy.php
  http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-ecologicalfallacy.html

Task 7--Explain the Law of Large Numbers.

• In the Agresti e-text to search for the terms go into the Index, by typing IND into the box with the page number.  A search box will pop up and you will be able to type in any key words you want to look up.
• Also, look up Gambler’s Fallacy here is a link for it: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/argument/fallacies/gamblers_fallacy.htm
• Here is a place where you can do a simulated coin toss to get your numbers http://hspm.sph.sc.edu/COURSES/J716/a01/stat.html. 
• You can stop at different points and record the numbers and percentages.  You should be able to see the Law of Large Numbers in progress.  Present the fictitious data in a table such as:

Task 9--Construct simple hypothesis tests for menas and proportions.

• When stating a null and alternative hypothesis remember to include the parameter.
• The formula to calculate the test statistic as a z-score is also known as a z-test. It is implemented with a sample size greater than or equal to 30.
• Here is a site that helps to determine if it is a one or two tailed test: http://www.une.edu.au/WebStat/unit_materials/c5_inferential_statistics/one_two_tailed.html

• This site is helpful to interpret your conclusion:  httphttp://www.une.edu.au/WebStat/unit_materials/c5_inferential_statistics/one_two_tailed.html://www.uwm.edu/~oeren/Chapter%206.2Hypothesis%20TestingEXAMPLES.pdf

• This site is helpful for defining the parameter for a hypothesis statement: http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/basic_definitions.html#param

   

If you encountered difficulty with any of the concepts or practice problems, you should go to the community.  There you will be able to contact the Quantitative Literacy Math (QL Math) Academic Mentor through the "Contact a Mentor" button, or e-mail.