Assignment for Monday, February 13

M 358K Assignment for Monday, February 13:

I. Read Section 3.3. Think about possible term project topics as you read, and how the reading might apply to them. In particular:

If you choose to do an observational study for your term project, this section will be especially important in designing your study.

Again, note the important distinction between population and sample (p. 218).

Note carefully the definition of simple random sample on p. 219. Be sure not to confuse this with everyday use of the word "random."

You will not be able to use a stratified random sample or a multistage sample for your term project, since these types of sampling designs require methods of analysis that are more advanced than the ones we will be studying in this class.

If you choose to do a sample survey for your term project, the cautions on pp. 222 - 224 will be important for you to heed in designing your study and analyzing your data.

Compare and contrast the use of the word "bias" on p. 223 with the two uses of this word we have already seen in this course.

II. Do the following exercises to reinforce the reading and for possible class discussion: 3.37, 3.38, 3.47, 3.48, 3.52, 3.59, 3.60

III. Thoroughly read the Term Project Description. (You were asked to skim this for Friday.)

IV. For each example listed under the section "Types of questions you may choose to study" in the Term Project Description, be able to explain why it is of the type claimed.