INTRODUCTION:
WELCOME TO STAT 200
January 5th, 2009
Contact Info
2
Steve Kanters
Office: LSK 323
Email: skanters@stat.ubc.ca
Phone: 604 822 4373
Office Hours:
Actually… Workshops
Textbook and Website
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Moore, D.S. and McCabe, G.P. (2009): An Introduction
to the Practice of Statistics (6th edition).
It would be fine to use the 5th edition of the text.
However, we will assign reading and suggested
exercises based on the 6th edition.
We may not provide correspondence between page
and question numbers between the two editions. You
may find a copy of both editions in the library for
private loan (loan period is 2 hours).
Website: slate.stat.ubc.ca
What are Statistics?
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If we tried to summarize the field of statistics in one
sentence, it would be: “Statistics is the study of
Variance in Data”.
The big picture of Statistics:
Why Study Statistics
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We live in a world of information overload.
Deciphering all this information and understanding
it is a difficult task. Statistics is one approach to this
task.
Imagine a black-box process where only input and
output can be observed. Statistics can help us draw
conclusions on the process based on the resulting
data.
Statistics is an essential part of most scientific
research, you can always benefit from more
statistical knowledge
What Statistics is and isn’t
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Statistics is not a math course
Statistics is not about learning a bunch of formulas
Statistics is not difficult if you don’t make the mistakes
above.
Statistics is a conceptual course.

Knowing how to calculate a formula is useless if we don’t
know
When to use it
 How to interpret it


As such, there is a fair share of vocabulary in this course
and understanding it is key.
Tentative Schedule
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Date
Lecture
Jan. 5-9
Intro + Ch 1.1-1.2
Jan. 12-16
Ch 3.0-.2
Jan. 19-23
Ch 3.3-4.2
Jan. 26-30
Ch 4
Feb. 2-6
Ch 1.3, 4.4
Feb. 9-13
Ch. 5.1-.2
Feb 23-27
Midterm +Ch 6.1-2
March 2-6
Ch 6-7
March 9-13
Ch 7
March 16-20
Ch 12.1 and 2
March 23-27
Ch 2 and 10.1
March 30 – April 3
Ch. 2 and 9.1
April 6-8
Review and such
Lectures, Labs and Clickers – Part 1
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
This class will use many approaches to teaching you
the material.
 The
lectures will use a mixture of slides and handwritten notes. The slides are not complete on their own
but cover the basics. They help reduce writing which
should increase listening
 Lectures will also be an opportunity to solve questions
together as a class (i.e. you copy my solution) and for
questions to be answered in groups during class (to
keep you active!
Lectures, Labs and Clickers – Part 2
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
The lectures will also feature clickers. These
 Allow
for more conceptual questions to be asked.
 Will force you to keep up with the material.
 Will get everyone to participate.

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Finally Labs will be an active way of learning how
to apply statistics in different contexts.
These will be done once a week and be run by the
TA’s
Course Evaluation
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One comprehensive final exam covering all material
seen in lectures (45%)
One in-class midterm worth 25%.
Three assignments worth 15% in all.
On-line Attitude survey – 2% (free marks!)
Class participation via i-clicker – 5%

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This is in two components: participation and correctness of
answers.
Weekly labs – 8%
Notes on Course Evaluation
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There will be NO make up exam
A missed exam requires proper supporting documents
(e.g. a doctor’s note) in order to avoid a zero. In such
an event, the weight of the midterm will be shifted to
the final, or the final will be deferred.
It is expected and encouraged that students discuss their
assignments with each other. It encourages the learning
process.

However, the assignment you hand in should be your
own product. Students caught copying each others
answers will be given a zero for the assignment.
Clickers! – Part 1
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This year our STAT 200 course will be using the
i>Clicker.
It is a response system that allows you to respond to
questions posed by instructors during class, and you
will be graded on that feedback.
You are required to purchase an i>clicker remote
for in-class participation.
Clickers! – Registration
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Each clicker has a unique serial number which is used
to identify it. You can find this number at the back.
In order to receive the grades, you’ll need to register
the serial number of your PRS (personal response
system) to your name.
 This
is achieved using WebCT
 The instructions for this can be found on the website
 You must register your clicker before the start of week 2
Clickers! – Frequency
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The frequency in your clicker needs to match the
one of the receptor in the room.
Here the frequency is AB, but the default frequency
is AA, so we’ll need to change this at the start of
every class:
 Hold
the power button until the blue light flashes
 Press frequency AB
 You should get a green light indicating you’re good to
go.
What is your gender?
A.
B.
Male
Female
What is your handedness?
A.
B.
Left
Right
How many statistics courses have
you taken in the past?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0
1
2
3
What do you think will be your final
grade in this course?
A.
B.
C.
D.
100%
68%-99%
50%-67%
Below 50% (oh no!)