assistance requested with weekly statistics discussion visually data with graphs/tables

PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS FORUM FOR WHICH SURVEY QUESTION YOU WILL ANALYZE FOR THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSION.

For the Week 2 LEO discussion, we will begin analyzing the survey data that was collected during Week 1. You will complete the four analysis tasks outlined in the discussion question for your ONE assigned survey question, which is

“Question 3. What year in school best describes your current academic progress?”

Go to the Week 2 LEO Discussion and complete your classification of this variable (Task 1). Then using the data in the column "Q3", complete Tasks 2-4 (including a table and a graph) for your initial discussion post. Please ask if you have any questions.)

A survey was administered to a previous class of STAT 200 students and the results are shown in the table below. In order to perform statistical analyses, we need to be able to identify the specific type of data we are collecting.  This will determine the best way to summarize the data in a table, in a visual display, and in terms of central tendency and/or dispersion. You will complete the following  four tasks for your assigned survey question. 

Task 1: Identify the variable type.

The best way to do this is to state your survey question and list at least TWO possible answers to the question.  The answers are examples of the  data that you will collect. Then you will classify the data according to the decision tree below:

Is the data resulting from your survey question  qualitative  (descriptive, non-numerical) or  quantitative  (numerical, can perform mathematical operations on the data).  If the variable is  qualitative, indicate if it is  nominal or ordinal.  If it is  quantitative, indicate whether it is  discrete or continuous and whether it is  interval or ratio. Describe your reasoning behind your classification of the variable.

Example:  If the question was "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?" some possible answers are "chocolate", "mint chocolate chip", or "rocky road".  These answers are not numerical; they are not counts or measures, they are words describing types of ice cream, so we determine this is a  qualitative variable.  There are two options for type of qualitative data - nominal and ordinal.  Do flavors fall in a natural order that can be ranked, or are they just descriptions? We decide this is also a  nominal variable.

Tasks 2-4: Use the data in this table to complete Tasks 2-4.   Only use the column of data that corresponds to your assigned variable!

Q3	Q4	Q5	Q9	Q10
Junior	3	64	Yes	5
Sophomore	1	59	No	3
Sophomore	4	69	Yes	1
Junior	1	73	No	1
Junior	3	69	No	2
Sophomore	4	74	Yes	1
Freshman	4	66	No	3
Junior	2	63	Yes	4
Freshman	5	69	No	1
Sophomore	2	67	Yes	4
Junior	4	72	No	1
Junior	1	60	Yes	2
Senior	5	61	Yes	4
Sophomore	5	69	Yes	5
Freshman	1	63	No	2
Junior	5	66	No	3
Freshman	3	59	No	3
Sophomore	1	70	Yes	5
Sophomore	5	69	No	5
Sophomore	4	67	Yes	1
Sophomore	4	70	No	5
Junior	4	74	No	4
Freshman	2	74	No	4
Junior	2	73	No	3
Junior	2	71	No	4
Junior	4	68	No	5
Junior	2	66	No	1
Sophomore	3	70	No	1
Junior	3	70	No	1
Junior	3	72	Yes	3

Task 2: Create a summary table.

Based on the type of variable determined in Task 1, determine which type of table (a frequency distribution, stem and leaf plot, or a grouped frequency distribution) would best organize the data from your survey question.  Why do you feel this table best organizes the data?   Include the table in your post.

Task 3: Create a visual display.

Consider how you might visually display the results as a graph (bar graph, Pareto chart, line graph, histogram, pie chart, or box plot). Why did you choose this graph? Explain why you believe this graph is the best choice to display the data.  Include the graph in your post.

Task 4.  Summarize central tendency.

IMPORTANT: Review which types of central tendency and dispersion can be used for each type of variable.  For YOUR variable, calculate whichever measure(s) of central tendency CAN be determined:  mean, median and/or mode. Which of these measures of central tendency do you think is the best choice for "average" and why? If possible, find the  range and standard deviation (measures of dispersion) for the variable. What would a narrower or wider deviation signify in the context of this data?  If these measures of dispersion are not appropriate for your variable, explain why.

Your initial post to the discussion (covering the 4 tasks above) is due by 11:59 pm EST on Saturday. 

Participation: Consider the graphs/charts and measures of central tendency and dispersion that your peers have chosen. Do they align with your choices? Discuss at least one benefit of your peer's choices. Are there other graphs/charts that you would consider?  At least two  substantive peer reply posts are due by 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday. And don't forget to reply to my follow-up questions about your post!