Data Analysis (Stat 206)

Spring 2023

 

Professor Bradley A. Hartlaub
Office 305 Rutherford B. Hayes Hall
Phone 740-427-5405
e-mail hartlaub@kenyon.edu
Office Hours

MWF 2:00 - 3:00 (open hours, just stop by)

Tuesday 2:00 - 4:00 (sign up for an appoiuntment)

Additional appointments are available;  please don't hesitate to contact me to set up a meeting.

Textbook

Stat2: Modeling with Regression and ANOVA (2019), A. R. Cannon, G. W. Cobb, B. A. Hartlaub, J. M. Legler, R. H. Lock, T. L. Moore, A. J. Rossman, J. A. Witmer, W. H. Freeman and Company.

Learning Goals

Statistical Packages & Computing

R and RStudio will be used extensively 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 programs will be placed in our Google Drive folder Stat206-DataAnalysis-S2023. Proper maintenance of computer accounts, files, etc. is your responsibility.

Our class meets in a classroom where you will be expected to use your laptop, and we will be using statistical software extensively in the course. During regular class hours, the use of the computers is also restricted to activities deemed appropriate by the instructor. Playing computer games, reading e-mail, conversing in a chat room, surfing the web, and working on assignments for other courses are a few examples of inappropriate activities that can be distracting to the instructor and other students in the course. Inappropriate computer use may result in penalties ranging from warnings to loss of computer privileges for the period. In cases of extreme and/or repeated violations, grade penalties or expulsion from the course may result.

Accessibility Accomodations

A student who thinks they may need an accommodation to access a campus program, activity, or service should contact Ruthann Daniel Harteis in Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) at danielharteis1@kenyon.edu  to discuss specific needs. Advance notice is required to review documentation, evaluate accommodation requests and provide notice or arrangements for any accommodation.

Title IX Responsibilities

As a member of the Kenyon College faculty, I am concerned about the well-being and development of students, and am available to discuss any concerns. However, I want you to know that faculty members are legally obligated to share certain information with the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator. This requirement is to ensure your safety and welfare is being addressed. These disclosures include, but are not limited to: reports of discrimination or harassment due to a protected characteristic, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, relational/domestic violence, and stalking.

Homework

Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. I encourage you to work on as many problems as possible, including problems which have not been assigned. Subsets of the homework assignments will be collected and graded. Working with other students is encouraged, but each student must submit her/his own solution for problems to be collected. For more infomation, see the departmental guidelines for collaboration on homework, which I expect you to follow.

Problem Sessions

During the semester we will have 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

Your work 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 or send e-mail to hartlaub@kenyon.edu before class.

Attendance Policy:

In relation to the Kenyon Class Attendance Policy and The Department of Mathematics and Statistics Attendance Policy, nine class absences (whether excused or unexcused) will result in expulsion from the course.

Exams

Exam 1 Friday, March 3
Exam 2 

Friday, April 28

Quizzes

Short in class or take home quizzes will be given occasionally throughout the semester. The goal is to help you comprehend and apply the important concepts and techniques that we have been studying in a timed setting. In other words these quizzes are designed to help you prepare and practice for the exams.

Small Group Projects

You will be asked to solve practical data analysis problems with at least one other member of the class. A written component (paper or poster) or an oral presentation to the class will be required. The deadlines and more detailed instructions on the project will be announced in class.

Final Project

Each student will find a data set and apply an appropriate analysis. Ideally, this data set will be one which you collect yourself or obtain from a local resource. The variables in the data set and the purpose of the study must be clearly defined. If the data are obtained from a periodical, the date of publication must be later than January 1, 2018. Summaries of your proposed analysis must be submitted on or before Monday, May 1. Final papers explaining the problem of interest, your analysis, and your conclusions must be submitted on or before Friday, May 12 at 1:30 pm.

Grades

Your course grade will be based on your overall percentage. The categories used to determine your overall percentage and their respective weights are listed below.

Homework and Problem Sessions 15%
Small Group Projects 15%
Quizzes 10%
Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 20%
Final Project 20%

Class participation will be used to help make borderline decisions.

Course Outline