Statistics Essay

Formal Writing Assignment 1 Prof. Yeung

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Critical Thinking Writing Assignment

Assignment details: In this writing assignment you are to write at least 3 full pages (double

spaced) to interpret frequency distribution data and make decision on how to present the data.

The paper should be formatted at introduction, paragraphs, and conclusion.

McKee and Ptacek (2001) asked 90 college students about a time they had “delivered bad news”

to someone. The table below shows the results for the type of bad news given. Using the data

that follow answer the questions listed after the table.

Descriptive Statistics for the Type of News Given

Category Frequency Percentage

Relationship with family 19 21.1

School 1 1.1

Job/work 6 6.7

Relationship with girlfriend or boyfriend 17 18.9

Personal health 1 1.1

Finance 1 1.1

Health of family member or friend 21 23.3

Other 23 25.6

Totals 90 100%

1. Explain the idea of a frequency table to a person who had never had a course in statistics.

2. Explain the general meaning of the pattern of results.

3. What would be the appropriate graph(s) to display the data that is given above. Discuss your reasoning why you would select the graph of choice to display the data. If there are more

than one graph(s) that can be displayed, discuss the implication of each.

4. Create your graph(s) using excel program. Use YouTube as a resource to learn how to create the graphs on excel.

5. Use your graph(s) to make inference about the data that is being displayed. Be specific!

6. Discuss the benefit of each graph(s) and compare the difference between the graph(s) display of the data.

Grading: The essay will be part of your writing assignments grade. It will be worth 3% of your

final course grade. I will judge the essay on the following criteria:

 Style, clarity, and mechanics of writing  Your statistical reasoning and accuracy

Please refer to the rubric for more details.

Due date: This assignment must be submitted on Blackboard BY THE END OF THE DAY on

Sunday, February 28, 2021.

Formal Writing Assignment 1 Prof. Yeung

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References

McKee, T.E., & Ptacek, J.T. (2001). I’m afraid I have something bad to tell you: Breaking bad

news from the perspective of the giver. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 31, 246 –

273