Resource Library

This glossary defines and explains statistical terms for introductory students. The glossary can be shown in alphabetical order or in suggested learning order. Click on the topic of interest to see the definition. Use the arrows at the bottom to proceed to the next topic or click the blue dot to return to the contents page.

This tutorial introduces mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation using sports statistics from the Internet and class-generated statistics. Students should understand stem-and-leaf plots before using this tutorial. This material is intended for class use. Excel spreadsheets with sample data are also available for download. The relation links to a letter for teachers.

This tutorial describes various measures of central tendency, their theory and use, and demonstrates them with an example on final exam scores. Data is given as well as SPSS and Minitab code. Key Words: Mean; Median; Mode; Variance; Standard Deviation.

This tutorial explains the theory and use of the Sign Test and demonstrates it with an example on intervention methods. Data is given as well as SPSS and Minitab code.

This applet allows users to calculate probabilities from a normal distribution. First, set the mean and standard deviation and click "Scale to Fit". Check one of the boxes next to the inequality signs and enter a value for x; the applet will calculate the z-score and cumulative probability (shown in dark blue for top value and pink for the bottom). By clicking both boxes, users can see the probability between two values (in pink) or outside two values (in blue). Click the inequality sign to change the direction of the cumulative probability.

This resource defines and explains per capita rates using an example on city murder rates.

This resource defines and explains percent changes using an example on city murder rates.

This resource defines and explains the median using an example on employee salaries.

This resource defines and explains the arithmetic mean using an example on employee salaries.

The great tragedy of Science - the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact. A quote of English biologist Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895) from his Presidential address in 1870 to the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Published in "Biogenesis and Abiogenesis," vol. 8, Collected Essays (1894).