Evaluating student performance in applied statistics courses which emphasise data analysis

In professional fields such as education, psychology, sociology, etc., applied statistics courses emphasise developing skills in planning quantitative research studies, properly analysing data, and correctly interpreting the results of analysis. In general, students lack the background which would be required to deal with mathematical derivations. Furthermore, it is doubtful that this background would materially benefit these students in the professional roles for which they are preparing. The vast majority of researchers in the behavioural sciences are able to conduct their data analyses using the sophisticated statistical packages that are readily available. Thus, it becomes critical that applied statistics courses realistically prepare them for their role as data analysts. Each academic year, our department enrolls about 1000 students in undergraduate and graduate applied statistics courses. Approximately 50% of these students are enrolled in an undergraduate elementary statistics course and the other 50% of the students are enrolled in a series of four graduate courses offered, primarily, for students in the College of Education.