T 1/2/01

HW due today: Fill in the two quizzes that were distributed in class on Friday, Dec. 15. You will need to read through the end of §7.2 in order to answer these questions.

W 1/3/01

Review of Chapter 7. Also, bring your lingering questions from Chapter 6.

Th 1/4/01

Mini-Test (60 points) on Chapter 7. While you are taking this test, students will be pulled out one by one to defend (orally) their corrections of the test on Chapters 5 and 6. This should be an easy 40 points to round out a full 100-point test. Because group leaders do not really need the boost as much, they will be scored based on how well their group members defend the corrections.

F 1/5/01

Midterm review day (cumulative review, Chapters 1-7). The midterm exam will consist mostly of multiple-choice problems similar to those found in the Barron's review book. For examples of free-response problems that may be posed, see the Judge Jeremy problem, the Monty Hall problem, the Chest of Drawers problems, or the Disease Testing problem. There will be at least one problem involving an experimental design and/or a simulation using the random number table.

If you need more specifics to focus your studying, here they are: pp.1-410 of blue textbook, or topics 1-11 of Barron's book (omitting the following topics: binomial distributions, geometric distributions, and normal approximation to the binomial). The page numbers in Barron's are pp.1-206 in my edition, but I have been informed that topics 1-11 extend for a few more pages in the new edition.

Also: Optional extra review/tutoring session from 8:45 to 9:40 a.m. today in Room R.

M 1/8/01

Midterm Exam, 2:00 p.m., Steuart 101/102. Bring calculator, spare batteries, and several pencils. Paper and formula sheets will be furnished.

W 1/17/01

Classes resume. Form groups for Project 3: Controlled Experiment. Start generating ideas (at least one per group member).

Th 1/18/01

Work on analysis of ideas for Project 3. Use the following 5 criteria to rate your projects (using some suitable qualitative or quantitative weighting method):

1. Feasibility
2. Cost
3. Ethical issues
4. Quality of the data (use your statistical consultant to help you here; we want to be able to compute p values from your data later in the year)
5. Interest

Students have asked, "Is originality important?" The answer is yes and no. I have seen a number of taste tests, for example, but that doesn’t mean that you couldn’t do another one. One thing I know for sure is that if you choose a project that offers high interest to you and is something you and your group can get excited about, the results will be much better.

Note: You are not writing the proposal yet. All you are doing for now is analyzing the 4 ideas to decide which one to pursue. Be succinct (1 page preferred, 2 pages maximum).

F 1/19/01

Final exams will be distributed at 8:45 in Room R or across the hall (in office) for those who wish to look at them.

HW problem to ponder: If men's heights follow the N(69, 3) distribution and women's heights follow the N(65, 2.5) distribution, what is the probability that a randomly selected man is taller than a randomly selected woman?

HW due by end of day: Analysis of ideas for Project 3.

M 1/22/01

HW due: #7.32, 7.42. You may wish to do them in reverse order. If you have not already read §7.2, now would be the time to do it.

T 1/23/01

HW due: Each group is to submit a one-paragraph description of methodology for performing the chosen experiment. Some of the groups have already essentially done this, but you will need to submit a fresh sheet of paper. Consider blocking (if appropriate), blinding, placebo effect, realism of conditions, sample size, and randomization procedures.

W 1/24/01

HW due: Read §8.1 before start of class.

Th 1/25/01

Mini-Quiz on §8.1. If you are absent for any reason, the make-up quiz is to do problems 8.19-8.23 (all), showing work. Actually, doing problems 8.19, 8.21, and 8.23 and checking the answers in the back of the book is a great way to prepare anyway. Also check out the CFU and CFU with answers to prepare for the mini-quiz.

F 1/26/01

HW due: Read §8.2 before start of class. Also, groups must submit their project methodology (approx. 1 to 1½ pages) by the end of the day. The methodology counts for 50 points. Try to incorporate the suggestions that were made in class on Tuesday, and provide sufficient detail so that your methodology could be turned over, in theory, to an independent testing organization.

M 1/29/01

HW due: Release form (10 points), required for all groups that are planning to use human subjects. Do not begin gathering data until your methodology and release form have received final approval.

By the way, we will be having class today. Roll call check-in by juniors and NCS students is required. STA seniors, please read the latest ‘Skip Day’ Rumor Control.

T 1/30/01

Review day: §7.2, §8.1, §8.2, and experimental design (blocking, blinding, control, randomization, matched pairs, etc.). If you missed class yesterday, you will definitely want to click here to learn more about geometric probability distributions. Also visit the CFU for the test and the CFU with answers (no solutions).

W 1/31/01

Test on §7.2, §8.1, §8.2, and experimental design (blocking, blinding, control, randomization, matched pairs, etc.).