Use statistical software to create, interpret, and analyze two histograms in a Word document.
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Introduction
Descriptive statistics are just what they sound like, statistics that allow you to describe or summarize the data with regard to such things as their distribution and their spread. Descriptive statistics provide you with a picture of your data while inferential statistics (which we will discuss in subsequent assessments) allow you to draw conclusions about relationships between variables or differences between groups.
A solid understanding of descriptive statistics is foundational to grasping the concepts presented in inferential statistics. This assessment measures your understanding of key elements of descriptive statistics.
Instructions
Your first statistical software assessment includes two sections in which you will do the following:
- Create two histograms.
- Calculate measures of central tendency and dispersion.
This will give you some experience with the data set.
Key Details and Instructions
- Submit your assessment as a Word document.
- Refer to the JASP Step-by-Step: Histograms and Descriptive Statistics [PDF] document for additional help in completing this assessment.
- View JASP Speedrun: Descriptive Statistics [Video] for a brief tutorial on this assessment.
- As you work on this assessment, refer to the 7864 Data Set Instructions [PDF] file for information on variables used in this course.
- Provide a title for your document and your name.
Download the 7864 data set, grades.jasp, which is a sample data set, and save it to your computer. The data represent a teacher’s recording of student demographics and performance on quizzes and a final exam. For this assessment, you will create and describe two histograms and a descriptives table using these data.
Section 1: Histograms for Visual Interpretation
Using the final and lowup variables in your grades.jasp data set, create two histograms and paste them into your Word document:
Variables and Definitions
VariableDefinitionLowuplower division =1; Upper division =2FinalFinal exam: number of correct answers
Create:
- A histogram for lower division.
- A histogram for upper division.
Briefly describe what a visual inspection of this output tells you about the shape of the distributions.
Section 2: Calculate Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Using the grades.jasp file, compute descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis for gpa and quiz3.
Variables and Definitions
VariableDefinitionGPAPrevious grade point averageQuiz3Quiz 3: number of correct answers
Create a descriptives table and paste it into your Word document.
Under the table:
- Report the mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis for GPA and quiz3.
- Briefly describe what skewness and kurtosis tell you about these data with regard to normality.
Submit both sections of your assessment as an attached Word document.
Software
The following statistical analysis software is required to complete your assessments in this course:
Refer to the Tools and Software: JASP page on Campus for general information. Make sure that your statistical software is downloaded, installed, and running properly on your computer.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 4: Interpret the results of statistical analyses.
- Below the output, provide an accurate interpretation of histograms for lower division students and upper division students.
- Below the output, report descriptive statistics and interpret skew and kurtosis values.
- Competency 5: Apply a statistical programs procedure to data.
- Provide histograms for lower division students and upper division students.
- Provide a descriptive statistics table.
Scoring Guide
Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated.
(PLEASE FOLLOW GRADING RUBRIC BELOW AND LOOK AT THE FILE LINKS BELOW)
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Criterion 1
1. Provide histograms for lower division students and upper division students.2.Below the output, provide an accurate interpretation of histograms for lower division students and upper division students.3. Provide a descriptive statistics table.4. Below the output, report descriptive statistics and interpret skew and kurtosis values
Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.
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Course Study Guide
The 7864 Course Study Guide [PDF] highlights content to focus on as you read and absorb the materials. Review the “The Basics of Data Collection and Analysis” and “Exploring Statistical Software and Descriptive Statistics” sections of the study guide for this assessment.
Graphing and Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics are just what they sound like—statistics that allow you to describe or summarize the data with regard to such things as their distribution and their spread. Descriptive statistics provide you with a picture of your data, while inferential statistics (which we will discuss in subsequent assessments) allow you to draw conclusions about relationships between variables or differences between groups.
The following are some helpful resources on visual data and descriptive statistics:
- Warner, R. M. (2021). Applied statistics I: Basic bivariate techniques (3rd ed.). Sage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link. Watch this VitalSource video for further information.
- Chapter 3, “Frequency Distribution Tables.”
- Chapter 4, “Descriptive Statistics.”
- Chapter 5, “Graphs: Bar Charts, Histograms, and Boxplots.”
Note: The statistical software illustrated in this textbook may or may not look the same as the statistical software used in this course.
For additional context:
- Navarro, D. J., Foxcroft, D. R., & Faulkenberry, T. J. (2019). Learning statistics with JASP: A tutorial for psychology students and other beginners. https://learnstatswithjasp.com/
- Chapter 4, “Descriptive Statistics [PDF].”
- Chapter 5, “Drawing Graphs [PDF].”