Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Inference about two or more population variances, multiple comparisons, categorical data analysis, linear and logistic regression, design of experiments, analysis of variance and covariance, repeated measures and random effects.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and WebCT, a computer conferencing program. WebCT requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
UNI students: 800:072, junior standing
Instructor
Dr. Mark Ecker, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Evaluation
9 assignments, 2 exams, 1 project paper
Overview
Applied Statistical Methods (Math 121) is an applied statistics course offered as a follow up class to a standard introductory statistics class, for example Math 072 here at the University of Northern Iowa. Therefore, an introductory statistics class that covers such topics as probability, random variables, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing is a prerequisite for this class.
The goal of any statistical analysis is to answer questions that can only be resolved through the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of data. In particular, how to explain and predict using your data is the fundamental skill set to be acquired. For example, we might be interested in determining what risk factors most influence a person’s chance of developing heart disease and what exactly is that risk? Also, what factors most influence the value of my home and if I want to spend $2000 to improve my house, how should I best do that? The main objective of this class is for you to learn to be able to answer real-world questions from genuine data using the tools you will be developing.
Course organization
Written Assignments
This course will consist of nine assignments each having a written assignment.
Project Paper
The Project Paper, involving a statistical analysis of a dataset of interest to you, is a major component of this class. A short project proposal will be submitted so that I can provide guidance and to ensure that the analysis plan is not overly challenging for you.
Exams
There will be two exams. Your examinations will be proctored. Exam 1 will be taken after you have finished Assignment 4: Analysis of Variance and Exam 2 will be taken after finishing Assignment 9: Multivariate Data Analysis. Exam 2 will not be cumulative. Both exams are open book and open notes, however, you may only use your textbook; no other books or outside resources (such as the internet) are allowed. Also, you will need your calculator.
You will have 90 minutes for each exam, which will focus on problem solving; it is NOT a multiple choice/short answer type exam. I give lots of partial credit; my reason for doing so is that I strongly believe that if you have 95% of the problem solved correctly, then should get 95% of the available points! So show all of your work!
Basic outline
Grading
Your overall course grade will be determined by two exams, nine assignments, and your project paper.
| Exam 1 | (75 points) | 25% |
| Assignments | (335 points) | 25% |
| Exam 2 | (70 points) | 25% |
| Project Paper | (100 points) | 25% |
The nine individual assignments are each worth:
| Assignment | Points | Assignment | Points |
| 1 | 50 | 6 | 20 |
| 2 | 50 | 7 | 40 |
| 3 | 40 | 8 | 50 |
| 4 | 40 | 9 | 25 |
| 5 | 20 | Total | 335 |
To determine your course percentage, take the average of your four individual percentages (Exam1 percentage, Assignment percentage, Exam 2 percentage and the Project Paper percentage).
| Overall Course Percentage | Course Grade |
| 90 – 100 | A range |
| 80 – 90 | B range |
| 70 – 80 | C range |
| 60 – 70 | D range |
| Less than 60 | F |
For example, if you scored a 65 out of 75 on Exam #1, then your Exam #1 percentage is 65/75 = 0.867. If your three other percentages are: Assignment percentage = 0.850, Exam #2 percentage = 0.900 and Project percentage = 0.950, then my overall (average) course percentage is (0.867+0.85+0.9+0.95)/4 = 0.892 which would be a B+.
Please note that UNI Guided Independent Study requires that you complete all assignments to pass the course.
Academic ethics
I expect you to submit your own work (homework, tests and paper). I highly encourage you to talk with me and/or others to help you understand a concept. Some of my most positive learning experiences have come after asking others for help; group learning is fantastic. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you have, including those regarding academic ethics. You are subject to the same UNI policies with regard to proper ethical conduct as that of a student sitting in my regular Math 121 class.
Textbook(s)
Ott and Longnecker. An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis. 5th edition. (2001). Duxbury. ISBN # 0-534-25122-6 (required)
Ott and Longnecker. An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis - Student Solutions Manual. 5th edition. (2002). Duxbury. ISBN # 0-534-37123X (suggested)
Texts are available from www.bookfinder.com
University Book and Supply carries most books used in guided independent study.
To search for textbooks by course, click on "Select a Campus Term" and select Univ.Northern Iowa - Guided Independent Study
Visit the store at 1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
Statistical software
The statistical software S-plus is available for FREE to any UNI student.
Please visit: http://elms03.e-academy.com/splus/
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu