Nonparametric Statistics
Math 216
Fall 2016

 

Professor Bradley A. Hartlaub
Office 305 Rutherford B. Hayes Hall
Phone 740-427-5405
Office Hours

Required Text

Hollander, M., Wolfe, D. A., and Chicken, E. (2014), Nonparametric Statistical Methods, Third Edition, New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Learning Disabilities

If you have a disability and feel that you may have need for some type of academic accomotation(s) in order to participate fully in this class, please feel free to discuss your concerns with me in private and also self identify yourself to Erin Salva, Coordinator of Disability Services at 740-427-5453 or via e-mail at salvae@kenyon.edu.

Title IX Responsibilities

Kenyon College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment/misconduct/assualt we encourage you to report this. If you report this to a faculty member, she or he must notify the Title IX coordinator about the basic facts of the incident (you may choose whether you or anyone involved is identified by name). For more information about your options at Kenyon College, please go to http://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/office-of-equal-opportunity/sexual-assault-and-harassment/

Statistical Package & Computing
The statistical software package R will be used throughout the course. Assignments and course announcements will be sent to you via e-mail or posted on the course web page. Data sets and Minitab worksheets will be placed in P:\Data\MATH\Hartlaub\Nonparametrics. Proper maintenance of computer accounts, files, etc. is your responsibility. I recommend that you back up your data sets and R scripts on a regular basis.
Homework
Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. Subsets of these assignments will be collected and randomly selected problems will be graded. You should work on as many problems as possible, including problems which have not been assigned. Working with other students is encouraged, but you must submit your own solution for each of the assigned problems to be collected.
Problem Sessions
During the semester we will have weekly problem sessions which will be conducted by you (the students). These sessions are designed to improve your understanding of statistical ideas and enhance your mathematical reasoning skills by requiring a clear, detailed presentation of the material to your peers. During these sessions, you will be responsible for solving an assigned problem and presenting the solution to the rest of the class. Answering all questions about your solution is a required part of the presentation. Being able to solve problems and being able to present the solutions to a group in a logical and coherent fashion are two different tasks. Our goal is to master both tasks.
Late Policy
Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the assigned due date. No credit will be given for late papers. If for any reason you cannot turn in your paper on the assigned date, you must contact me before class. If you are unable to contact me, you can leave a message on my office phone (740-427-5405) or send e-mail to hartlaub@kenyon.edu.
Exams
Exam 1 Friday, October 21
Exam 2 Friday, December 2
Final Project
Each student will find a data set and apply an appropriate nonparametric analysis. Ideally, you will collect this data set yourself or obtain it from a local resource. Your analysis must include a comparison of at least two statistical techniques. The variables in the data set and the purpose of the study should be clearly defined. If the data are obtained from a periodical, the date of publication must be later than January 1, 2012. Final papers containing a detailed explanation of the problem of interest, your analyses, and your conclusions must be submitted before 9:30 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
Grades
Your course grade will be based on your overall percentage. The categories used to determine your overall percentage are listed below with their respective weights.
Homework and Labs (15%)
Problem Sessions (15%)
Exam 1 (25%)
Exam 2 (25%)
Final Project (20%)
Class participation will be used to help make borderline decisions.
Course Outline