statistics help

Overview

Answer questions associated with data introduction and frequency, distribution, percentiles, and graphical representations.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

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• Competency 1: Apply basic descriptive and inferential statistics.

▪ Apply the appropriate rounding of numbers and placement of decimal places. ▪ Apply the appropriate order of operations and solve the equations.
▪ Apply the appropriate scales of measurement to stated variables.
▪ Apply the appropriate designation of discrete or continuous to stated variables. ▪ Distinguish between skewed, normal, bimodal, and rectangular distributions.

• Competency 3: Apply knowledge of statistics to select appropriate statistical tests, analyze data, and interpret results. ▪ Create a frequency distribution using SPSS.
▪ Construct a histogram, bar graph, line graph, and pie chart in SPSS.
▪ Construct a bar diagram and pie graph in SPSS.

• Competency 5: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.

· ▪  Construct a table showing frequency and cumulative frequency using provided data. 


· ▪  Construct grouped frequency tables using provided data, identifying the best table option and explaining why. 


· Context

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Before you embark on your learning journey, it is important to understand the meaning of statistics. Statistics refers to scientific methods, principles, and procedures used to collect, analyze, and present numeric data. Today, statistical analysis is carried out by software (for example, SPSS, SAS, et cetera). Researchers use these statistical tools to solve practical problems. 
You may wonder, if the nature of statistics is to understand numbers, then what is the relationship between statistics and mathematics? Math and statistics are different but related. Statistics is generally considered to be a distinct mathematical science rather than a branch of mathematics. While you do not need to be a mathematician to understand statistics, you do need a solid foundation in basic high school math to understand the formulae employed in statistical analysis. Ultimately, we want you to be able to select the proper statistical methods and procedures to tie the results of a study to its hypothesis.

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Questions To Consider

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To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community. 
Statistics in the Real World 
Consider the modules and the library article found in the Resources. 


· What statistics do you use in the real world? 


· What scales of measurement are you using (for example, nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio)? Identify at least two 
instances of using statistics in the real world and identify the scale of measurement for each variable. 


· Graphing in the Real World

· Find a graph (for example, bar chart, histogram, or pie chart) from the Internet. You may use a Web site, news resource site, journal article, et cetera.

· • Evaluate if the graph is displayed accurately. Why or why not?
• Answer if changing the order of the slices or bars would matter. Why or why not? • Identify any improvements you would suggest for the graph.

· Resources Required Resources

· The following resources are required to complete the assessment.

· Capella Resources

· Click the links provided to view the following resources:

· • assessment1a.sav . • assessment1b.sav .

· SPSS Software

· You are required to have the following software to complete your assessments throughout the course:

· • IBM SPSS Statistics Base GradPack (Version 22 or higher for Windows or Mac).

· Versioning: This software is routinely updated. While the latest version of the IBM SPSS Statistics is recommended (v22.0), older versions may be used if you already own or have access to them for the duration of this course. Arrange the required statistical software for your operating system (PC or Macintosh).

· If you have access to statistical software such as SAS or Excel with the appropriate add-in such as XLSTAT, you may use these as long as they meet the requirements of this course.

· As a Capella learner, you may purchase this software at a substantially reduced price. Instructions are provided at the Capella bookstore within the specific listing for this course ID and for this quarter offering. Read the descriptions carefully to make sure you buy the correct software for your operating platform (PC or Macintosh) and course needs.

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Suggested Resources

· The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

· Capella Multimedia

· Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:

· • Modules: 1 and 2 | Transcript
▪ Module 1. Math Review, Vocabulary, and Symbols. ▪ Module 2. Measurement Scales.

· • Measurement Scales | Transcript .
▪ You may use these concepts in this assessment.

▪ Module 4. Graphs and Plots. Library Resources

The following e-books and articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course.

• Mvududu, N., & Kanyongo, G. Y. (2011). Using real life examples to teach abstract statistical concepts . Teaching Statistics, 33 (1), 12–16.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the PSYC-FP4700 – Statistics for the Behavior Sciences Library Guide to help direct your research.

Internet Resources

Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have been either granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.

• Sophia Learning . (2014). Retrieved from http://www.sophia.org
▪ Capella University partners with Sophia Learning to provide tutorials and other learning resources online.

• StatisticsLectures.com . (2012). Retrieved from http://statisticslectures.com/
▪ This Web site offers resources that cover many topics in statistics, including presentations that illustrate how to

use software to implement statistical methods.
• Khan Academy . (2013). Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org

▪ This Web site offers resources covering a range of subjects including statistics. • Stat Trek . (2014). Retrieved from http://stattrek.com/

• Stat Soft: Electronic Statistics Textbook . (2014). Retrieved from http://www.statsoft.com/Textbook Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore . When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.

• Steinberg, W. J. (2011). Statistics alive! (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.