... statistics - whatever their mathematical sophistication and elegance - cannot make bad variables into good ones. Quoted from "Analysis of Nominal Data" by H.T. Reynolds (Sage, 1984) p. 8
Data! Data! Data! he cried impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." Stated by Sherlock Holmes in "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" by scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930)
That's not an experiment you have there, that's an experience. Ronald A. Fisher (1890-1962.) Quoted in "Statistics", third edition, by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves (Norton, 1998)
A cartoon that can be used in teaching about summary statistics. Cartoon by John Landers (www.landers.co.uk) based on an idea from Dennis Pearl (The Ohio State University). Free to use in the classroom and on course web sites.
During this simulation activity, students generate sampling distributions of the sample mean for n = 5 and n = 50 with Fathom 2 and use these distributions to confirm the Central Limit Theorem. Students sample from a large population of randomly selected pennies. Given that the variable of interest is the age of the pennies, which has a geometric distribution, this is a particularly convincing demonstration of the Central Limit Theorem in action. This activity includes detailed instructions on how to use Fathom to generate sampling distributions. The author will provide the Fathom data file upon request.
Song invokes tradeoffs and pitfalls of there being (at least) two kinds of average: mean and median. May be sung to tune of "Love and Marriage" (Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen). Musical accompaniment realization and vocals are by Joshua Lintz from University of Texas at El Paso.
Song is simply a quick jingle to help students recall the conceptual interpretation of a standard score (or, z-score), which in turn should help make sense of the formula. May be sung to tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". Recorded June 26, 2009 at the OSU Whisper Room: Larry Lesser, vocals/guitar; Justin Slauson, engineer.
