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Statistics 407
Taught by

Dr.May Boggess , Lecturer, College of Science-Statistics

Overview:

Statistics 407: Principles of Survey Sampling is a course that focuses on the real world application of statistical techniques. Statistics 407 is based on the fact that most of the data collected through surveys is from non-random samples. Students in Dr. Boggess’s class learn statistical techniques with which non-random samples can be analyzed and apply their knowledge and understanding to a series of projects that hone their ability to critically analyze the statistical claims the authors made.

Statistics 407 is a three hour course which about 10 statistics majors enroll in each semester. Dr. Boggess meets with students in this course for 3 one hour classes each week. The first two of these classes are dedicated to lecture and discussion of statistical techniques. Dr. Boggess tries to bring in many real world examples of how statistics are utilized and mentioned in current events. The third class meeting each week is dedicated to discussing the students practical projects and preparing them for their in class presentations.

Details

Dr. Boggess has formed a data base of research studies and their data sets. The data sets from many current studies are easily accessible through the internet.  Based on their interests, students are assigned a series of three of these studies over the course of the semester. She assigns them in such a way that they “ramp-up” in complexity so that the students are not overwhelmed by the size and complexity of the projects early in the semester. The challenge for students is to try to replicate and validate the statistical claims of authors in these studies using the original data sets, a task which as Dr. Boggess and her students have found is easier said than done.

Students are given the research report and supporting data set and set off to see what they can make of it, much like a real statistician would. Students need to write a report in which they critically analyze the statistical technique(s) utilized in the report and the assumptions made by the article’s author(s). Often, students are surprised to find that the authors have made claims that are hard to replicate. Students present their analysis to the class as well as hand in a written report for each project.

Assimilate Facts

Students in Dr. Boggess’s class not only have to learn the content and statistical techniques she teaches in her course, but through the completion of their three projects, students also apply their new learning to real world examples. Through the application of the statistical techniques they learn about students are able to develop a much more grounded and in-depth understanding of them.

Recognize Unanswered Questions

Many people in today’s world take the words of authority figures or published work as fact, even though there are many questions that can be asked about what they say. Through the application of the statistical techniques they learn about in Dr. Boggess’s class, students learn how to critically think about what they hear and read and uncover questions that may need further investigation. This type of critical thinking and analysis makes students more savvy consumers who are more informed citizens that ask more questions about what they hear instead of simply accepting information as truth.

Formulate Strategies for Seeking Answers

Dr. Boggess does not give her students a plan with which to finish their projects but instead, allows them to struggle as they try to figure out the best strategies for seeking answers for them and the data they’ve chosen to work with. When they come to a point where they are unsure of what to do next, they are able to meet with Dr. Boggess in order to get some ideas on how to progress. Through forging their own path to their own conclusions, students learn valuable critical thinking and strategy formulation skills that are a big part of life as well as statistics.

Investigate Appropriately

In Statistics 407 Appropriate investigation goes hand in hand with students learning to formulate strategies for seeking answers. As they work out the way in which they will answer the questions they have they ask questions about the appropriateness of the strategies they have chosen. Dr. Boggess guides her students in their attempts to analyze the studies they have chosen effectively and appropriately.

Draw valid Conclusions

Drawing valid conclusions plays a big part in statistics 407. Much like students learn to question the conclusions others have drawn through their use of statistics, they learn to assess the validity of their own. Dr. Boggess emphasizes the importance of the justification students use to support their conclusions in her course. She impresses upon her students that what they think or the conclusions they come to are not as important as the support they give them as they justify their validity and their ability to convince others of the strength of that justification.

Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is central to Statistics 407. Students not only need to communicate effectively through writing as they hand in three written reports each semester, but they also need to be able to present their papers to the class effectively. Both of these methods of communication also support all of the other characteristics of inquiry and research-based courses found in this vignette as students need to utilize skills from each area to communicate their analyses and conclusions effectively.

Critically Analyze

Critical analysis is what Statistics 407 is all about. Students learn statistical techniques that they can apply to data in order to critically analyze patterns and properties of the sample which the studies they have chosen to work with utilizes. Students also learn to critically analyze everything they read and hear as they think about what the data they work with says and uncover discrepancies or come to conclusions other than those of the authors of the studies they work with have come to.
    

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