MATH 439 (01) - Statistical Discovery for Everyone

Introduces the framework and concepts for learning with data. Emphasis on statistical discovery in everyday life and on drawing valid conclusion from data. Topics include: good and bad data, data ethics, how to conduct a valid survey, how to describe a population distribution; when to believe a poll; how to design an experimental study; how to avoid ambiguous results caused by "lurking" variables; how to make inference about an entire population based on a sample; how to describe relationships among variables; an understanding of the question of causation and chance in everyday life and in scientific studies, as well as the use and misuse of statistics in explaining what is statistical significance. This course has an activity-based learning component with lab exercises using statistical software for calculations without assuming a calculus background. The course may be used as a preparation for a more technical introductory statistics course. Science and Engineering students should take MATH 539 or MATH 644 according to their programs.