During the last decade the use of Bayesian statistical method has become quite prevalent in the educational community. Yet, like most statistical techniques, little has been written concerning the application of these methods to the classroom setting. The purpose of this paper is to help correct such a deficiency in the literature by developing a…

The reports that teachers receive from the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools Achievement Level Testing Program are planned to help them to see how each individual student is doing, which students need help, and how the class is performing as a whole. The information enables teachers to focus on special needs and problem areas, and also to see an…

Sophisticated simulations using computer graphics can lead to students deducing virtually all conditions of the Central Limit Theorem. Eight graphs illustrate the discussion. (MNS)

Uses the random-number generator and list features on the TI-83 graphing calculator to generate lists of sample means to help illustrate the concepts discussed in introductory statistics courses. (ASK)

Describes a five-number summary which is a display of the minimum value, lower quartile, median, upper quartile, and maximum value. Indicates how to draw box plots as graphical representations of a five-number summary. (YP)

Discusses the use of the Excel computer program to develop and distribute simple models that provide a clear visual representation of a chosen probability distribution's properties to students. (ASK)

This teaching supplement from the U.S. Census Bureau is designed for educators in grades 5 through 12. The Bureau offers it as a way of addressing the needs and concerns of teachers as they attempt to include statistical information about the everyday world in an effort to meet new educational standards. The supplement is presented in order to…

Developed are simple recursion formulas for generating the exact distribution of the longest run of heads, both for a fair coin and for a biased coin. Discusses the applications of runs-related phenomena such as molecular biology, Markov chains, geometric variables, and random variables. (YP)

Presents an activity considering whether a difference exists in the age of Oscar winners. Describes how to draw a stem plot and a box plot as an example of implementing the recommendations of the NCTM Standards. Provides tables showing the name, movie titles, and ages of the Oscar winners since 1928. (YP)

Considers definitions of quantiles. Describes median and quartiles. Compares the usefulness of 3 different definitions of quartile using a computer program to simulate 500 quantiles on a sample of a fixed size. Five references are listed. (YP)

Describes classroom activities and shows that statistics is a practical tool for solving real problems. Presents a histogram, a stem plot, and a box plot to compare data involving class enrollments. (YP)

An educational technique to calculate the lifetime of a comet using software-generated random numbers is introduced to undergraduate physiques and astronomy students. Discussed are the generation and eligibility of the required random numbers, background literature related to the problem, and the solution to the problem using random numbers.…

Outlines differences between classical statistics and exploratory data analysis. Provides examples in the use of the exploratory techniques. (YP)

Asserts that traditional approaches to multivariate analysis, including standard linear regression techniques, ignore the special character of count data. Explicates three suitable alternatives to standard regression techniques, a simple Poisson regression, a modified Poisson regression, and a negative binomial model. (MJP)

Describes a class experiment where students search a hypothetical job market for jobs paying wages in a known range but with an unknown wage distribution. The experiment is divided into three "trials", each one introducing different variables (unemployment insurance, search costs, and recession). Includes experiment instructions and a…