Welcome to Statistics I - Fall 2024!

Welcome to Professor Baker's Math Class! I'm looking forward to an exciting semester of Statistics I. I will be out of the country until August 30th, so our classes will officially begin on September 4th. This gives you a little extra time to ensure everything is set up and ready to go on your end. We will be diving right into Hawkes Learning, so make sure you have access.

Important Links and Resources

Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts of statistics. We will cover both descriptive and inferential statistics, exploring how to summarize and analyze data, as well as how to draw conclusions and make predictions. According to the syllabus, key topics include:

  • Descriptive Statistics: Understanding population versus sample, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), measures of variation (variance, standard deviation), measures of position (percentiles, quartiles), and correlation and linear regression.
  • Inferential Statistics: Learning about confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
  • Probability: Basic probability concepts and probability distributions to model real-world situations.

Key Concepts to Review Before Class Starts

While no prior knowledge is explicitly required, a basic understanding of mathematical concepts will be beneficial. Here are some areas you might want to brush up on:

  • Basic Algebra: Familiarity with algebraic manipulations and solving equations.
  • Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages: A strong foundation in these concepts is crucial for understanding statistical calculations.
  • Graphing: Understanding how to read and interpret graphs (bar charts, histograms, scatter plots) will be important.

What is Statistics?

Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data. It's a powerful tool used in a wide range of fields, from science and engineering to business and social sciences. Understanding statistics will help you make informed decisions, evaluate claims critically, and solve real-world problems.

Consider the concept of Mean. The mean, often referred to as the average, is calculated by summing all the values in a dataset and dividing by the number of values. If we have a dataset $x_1, x_2, ..., x_n$, the mean, denoted as $\bar{x}$, is given by the formula:

$$ \bar{x} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i}{n} = \frac{x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_n}{n} $$

Understanding this simple yet fundamental calculation is a cornerstone of descriptive statistics and is essential for analyzing data sets.

Required Materials

The required textbook for this course is:

  • Discovering Statistics & Data Software (w/eBook & Rguroo), ISBN: 9781642773408

Make sure you have access to the textbook and the Rguroo software as they are required for homework assignments. Per the syllabus, homework from Hawkes accounts for 20% of your final grade. Tests will comprise 45% and the final exam 25%. Participation accounts for the remaining 10%, so it is very important that you attend ALL classes.

Get Ready for an Engaging Semester!

I am excited to guide you through the world of statistics. Remember to check the course website regularly for announcements, assignments, and other important information. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions – I'm here to help you succeed!