Introduction to statistics (online)
Instructor: Dr. Scott Crawford
Email: scrawfo8@uwyo.edu
Office: Ross 333
Click here and look to the bottom of the page for office hours
Video welcoming you to class
Video helping you use Webassign
Video on the Grading and Homework
Video on how to get an A in this class
Video on the top 10 complaints in the class
Class: According to University policy class is 4 hours a week in class and 12 hours a week of
homework. That time will be spent watching videos of instruction, searching additional material, completing
online homework, posting on the discussion board, visiting with tutors, TAs, and office hours. The only
difference it makes that you are taking this class online is that class is attended online from anywhere
anytime each week.
Course Description: Statistics is the tool to answer scientific questions given data. Your goal is to read
scientific claims and understand the limits of their research, interpret what the results mean, and
demonstrate the ability to analyze their data. The main tools taught in this class are confidence intervals
and hypothesis tests (with p-values). The topics include descriptive statistics, one sample mean and
proportion, two sample means and proportions, regression, and chi-squared tests.
Text: There is no required textbook. Any introductory statistics book will cover the same material as this
class. There are videos of instruction and notes that can be used. There is a required Webassign code.
You can purchase a code through the bookstore or direct from Webassign.net. The access key (class
code) is uwyo 0890 1079 to access the class. Details are listed below.
Webassign: You must purchase an access code. The bookstore sells them, or you can purchase them
direct from http://www.webassign.net At the website on the right hand side below the log in button is a link
that says “I Have a Class Key”. Click on that link and then put in the class key uwyo 0890 1079. Then
create your Webassign account (if you have made an account in another class you are welcome to use it if
you want). When you reach the home page there are four sections that should be of interest:
My assignments: This shows the homework assignments. They are due every week on Wednesday at
11:59 pm. If you are late you may extend the homework deadline by 1 day for a 50% penalty (This is done
automatically within Webassign). An extension without the penalty requires a University Excuse can cover
more than half the week that the assignment was due. It is considered your responsibility to begin the
homework early enough to manage computer problems, power outages, content problems, illness, or
personal struggles.
Each question can be submitted 5 times. That means there is no excuse for not being able to get the
correct answers – if you have missed a question 3 times you should find help. There are TA’s,
discussion boards, and office hours as well as working with other students. The homeworks are posted
weekly, so you cannot do the homework early. This keeps everyone working on the same assignment at
the same time just as it would be in a classroom setting. The first assignment is due after the first week
and it is your responsibility to make sure we can find solutions to any problems before the first week is over.
We have found that students who work together tend to do better. Do not just guess. Please be
patient when we encounter programming glitches. The answer to question 1 on the homework (you know
it’s only there to force you read this syllabus) is “teach”. That’s because teaching this material to other
students is a fantastic way to learn it. Believe it or not you can actually teach yourself by explaining what
you don’t understand to someone else.
Communication – Class forums: The discussion board is a place to ask questions about the homework,
concepts, or share frustrations. It is part of your grade to post every other week at least. If you have
nothing of value to post there is a folder of “Funny/Random” where there are no rules (except – of course –
you must be respectful and not vulgar)
Announcements: Videos will be posted in announcements, as well as information on the tests. Any
changes to the class structure or deadlines will be announced here as well as in an email. It is expected
that you will read the announcements and keep track of the deadlines.
Grades: This will have your current grade. At the beginning it will say you are getting 0, but as
assignments are completed it will do a better job of predicting.
Exams: The tests for this class are proctored. The proctoring services are provided through the outreach
program. They are willing to work with you to find solutions that can succeed. The type of proctoring
depends on where you live:
Laramie students: Outreach Credit Programs (OCP) will provide proctors for Laramie students.
The outreach exam office will contact you with dates and times shortly before an exam.
In-state students:
In-state students will go to a UW Outreach Regional Center. A list of regional
centers can be found at http://www.uwyo.edu/outreach/regional-centers/ You simply make an
appointment and your proctor will have all the exam information necessary.
Out-of-state students: Exams must be taken under the supervision of an approved proctor. If you
would like to use a test facility, you can try a Google search for the words “exam proctoring”,
“proctor services”, etc and look in your region.
Persons currently employed in the following capacity meet the guidelines:
 A school administrator or other school official in a supervisory position—
superintendent, principal, counselor, academic advisor, dean, department head,
 An educational training officer—hospital, armed forces, this includes nursing
supervisors.
 A public librarian in an administrative position—director, assistant director, head
librarian
 Testing center or student services office at a college or university
 Other proctors hired should be under OCP approval and supervision
NOTE: Regardless of their position, relatives, fiancé, friends, and direct
supervisor(s) are not permitted to serve as proctors.
OCP reserves the right to reject any proctor.
You must provide your proctor’s name, official title. Address, email address and complete
phone number to OCP a week before the exam.
Calculator: Any calculator is allowed on the exam that does not have wireless communication. Test
questions attempt to not give an advantage to students who have fancier calculators.
Posting: You are required to post to the discussion board within every two week period. The discussion
board on Webassign is a great place to ask questions and give answers to other students. This is a great
venue for teaching other students what you have figured out. Due to the large number of online students
there needs to be a system for finding support with each other. We will drop your lowest of the posting
scores (which means you are allowed to forget once).
It is recommended that you post questions about homework problems, about concepts you don’t
understand, or concerns with the class. If you need to post and cannot think of what to say, then post in
the folder of “funny or random thoughts”. Posts cannot have profane language or offensive material. Even
posting something useless demonstrates that you knew the resource was available.
Exams:
The exams are online through the Webassign Program. Students can be allowed to use their own laptop,
but you are not allowed to visit any website besides Webassign during the exam. Toggling to any
website except Webassign during the exam is cause for receiving a zero on the exam. The tests
are cumulative, timed, and closed book, but you will be allowed a study sheet for the exam.
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Final Exam:
Grading:
Posting
Homework
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
February 22, 23, 24
April 4, 5, 6
May 9, 10, 11
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
Below 60
10%
20%
20%
25%
25%
There is no extra credit or extra projects in the class. If you are concerned about what grade you will need
on the final to get a particular grade come see me in my office. By federal law I cannot send grade
information through email.
Rounding grades: I encourage students to complete the teacher evaluation so that I can round their
grades up that last 1%. Those evaluations are very important to me. I do not round anything beyond that.
And it doesn’t make sense to – no matter where I draw the line someone will be just below it.
Incompletes: A grade of “incomplete” is only an option for students who have completed more than 2/3 of
the class (after the second exam) and have faced unexpected, uncontrollable, and debilitating personal
circumstances. An incomplete can help a student complete the class later to manage a sudden disability.
Disability Statement:
If you have a physical, learning, sensory or psychological disability and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as
possible. You will need to register with, and provide documentation of your disability to University Disability Support Services
(UDSS) in SEO, room 330 Knight Hall
.Academic Honesty:
The University of Wyoming is built upon a strong foundation of integrity, respect and trust. All members of the university
community have a responsibility to be honest and the right to expect honesty from others. Any form of academic dishonesty is
unacceptable to our community and will not be tolerated.
Cheating on the tests will result in a failing grade and referral to the academic integrity office.
The instructor may make changes to the syllabus as the course proceeds. If necessary, these
changes will be announced in Webassign.
Office Hours: Online classes are not required to hold office hours, however if you want to meet
with us there are lots of opportunities. There is a link below that shows you a table of times you
can meet with someone. We offer lots of office hours so that students can feel supported the way
you need. If office hours change you’ll see the table in the link adjust.
Please send an email to let us know you'll be there, especially since there are various times
throughout the semester we may be out of the office. If no students email us to say they are
coming we are not obligated to stay in office. You are welcome to visit our office officially or
to set up a meeting by Skype or Google Chat.
Scott Crawford:
Michelle Londe:
Ali McIntyre:
Becky Holt:
scrawfo8@uwyo.edu
mlonde@uwyo.edu
amcinty2@uwyo.edu
rholt1@uwyo.edu
Ross Hall 333
Ross Hall 342
Ross Hall 342
Ross Hall 342
There is also tutoring available at the STEP Tutor Center. STEP is located in Coe Library.
Sessions are drop in (no appointments) and are 30 minutes in length. Students who seek
academic help in this class tend to perform 15-20% better than students who do not. Please visit
the STEP Tutor Schedule for days and times: www.uwyo.edu/step.
List of times and places for tutoring or office hours:
http://www.uwyo.edu/crawford
Course Outline
Week 1
Syllabus
Introduction to Webassign
Jan 25
Access the homework
Jan 27
HOMEWORK 1 due
Week 2
Jan 28
Feb 3
Week 3
Feb 4
Feb 10
Week 4
Feb 11
Feb 17
Stat/param, cat/num mean/median,
boxplots Std dev, notation, mean vs
median A and B, A or B, A | B
Bayes theorem
HOMEWORK 2 due
POSTING 1 due
Normal, density curves, z-table
P(x>3), P(x>=3), highest 5%,
z-bridge, Middle 95%,
further than 5 from mean
HOMEWORK 3 due
Distribution of xbar
P(xbar>3), p(x>3),
highest 5% of xbars
HOMEWORK 4 due
POSTING 2 due
Week 5
Feb 18
Feb 24
Week 6
Feb 25
Mar 2
Week 7
Mar 3
Mar 9
Week 8
Mar 10
Mar 16
Week 9
Mar 17
Mar 23
Week 10
Mar 24
Mar 30
Week 11
Mar 31
Apr 6
Week 12
Apr 7
Apr 13
Week 13
Test 1
February 22, 23, or 24
Ho, Ha, 7 steps of a hypothesis,
p-value, Alpha, beta, power,
confidence, Hypothesis tests,
Making Conclusions
HOMEWORK 5 due
POSTING 3 due
Confidence Intervals
Proper statements on confidence
HOMEWORK 6 due
SPRING BREAK!
You have two weeks to complete
The next homework
Apr 14
Apr 20
Week 14
Apr 21
Apr 27
Week 15
Apr 28
May 4
Week 16
May 5
May 11
Testing with sigma unknown
t-tables Testing two means,
matched pairs, Independent
must add variances
HOMEWORK 7 due
POSTING 4 due
Test for one proportion, CI for p
CI for two proportions
Pooling proportions, Ho for
p1=p2
HOMEWORK 8 due
Test 2
April 4, 5, or 6
POSTING 5 due
Lurking variables Sources of Bias
Sampling Schemes
Experimental terms
Sampling Schemes, Seven pitfalls
HOMEWORK 9 due
Tables, Expects using
independence
Chi-squared test of independence
E>5, df, 2x2 chi-squared = test of
two proports
HOMEWORK 10 due
POSTING 6 due
Chi-squared Goodness of fit
Matching Uniform/Normal
distributions
HOMEWORK 11 due
Regression
R, R2, When R=0
Y=bo+b1x, prediction,
Test H0:B1=0, reading output
Residuals, 5 assumptions
HOMEWORK 12 due
POSTING 7 due
Final
May 9, 10, or 11