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STAT 1201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Course Guide

Introduction

Welcome to STAT 1201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics.

The Course Guide contains important information about the course structure, learning materials, and expectations for completing the course requirements. It also provides information about how and when to contact your Open Learning Faculty Member, an expert in the course content, who will guide you through the course. Take some time to read through the Course Guide to familiarize yourself with what you need to do to successfully complete your course.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Open Learning Faculty Member. We hope you enjoy the course.

Course Overview

“Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write.” (Wilks, 1951)

©Vancouver Sun. Used with permission.

Every day we are bombarded with the results of statistical studies. The challenge for all of us is to be able to consume this statistical information in an intelligent and informed manner. That’s the fundamental goal of this course—to equip you with some basic statistical tools and, hopefully, with a sharpened ability to think and reason statistically.

Here’s a big-picture summary of the topics that you will explore in this course:

1. How to summarize and interpret different types of data

2. How to investigate relationships between variables

3. The role of randomness and probability in statistical studies

4. How to make the leap from the data at hand to make inferences about the world at large

Throughout the course, the focus will be on your gaining an understanding of the concepts involved and your ability to interpret the results of a statistical procedure. Most of the actual number crunching will be turned over to your calculator. Step by step instructions on how to use your calculator are provided in the course units.

Course Description

Students are introduced to the concepts and methods of statistics, including variability, randomness, and probability. A statistical software program is used to facilitate the analysis of data sets and the understanding of statistical concepts, and to carry out simulation of experiments.

Many jobs or professions require that objective decisions be made based on statistical data; students are taught how to collect, analyze, and interpret data correctly. Students are also shown how to clearly and accurately present data to others.

Prerequisites

Recommended:

Although this course does not involve complex mathematics, Principles of Math 11, Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Math 11, Math 0523 or equivalent skills as established by the math placement test.

Basic computer literacy.

Students lacking the required mathematical background are advised to take a preparatory course before attempting this course.

Exclusions:

PSYC 2101: Statistics in the Social Sciences

STAT 1019: Introduction to Statistics

SOCI 3559

STAT 2039

BIOL 3000: Biometrics

BUEC 2320

ECON 2320: Economic and Business Statistics 1

PSYC 2100: Analysis of Psychological Data

SOCI 2710

STAT 2019

PSYC 2019

STAT 1200: Introduction to Statistics

STAT 2000: Introduction to Statistics

STAT 1209

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, you should be able to:

Distinguish between quantitative and categorical data and know which graphical and tabular techniques to apply to each.

Produce and interpret graphical displays for simple data sets.

Calculate and interpret measures for the centre and spread of a data set.

Identify how and when to use the Normal model.

Identify when correlation and regression analyses are appropriate.

Calculate and interpret correlation coefficient and regression line equations.

Discuss issues associated with collecting and interpreting data from sample surveys and polls.

Identify the role of randomization in sample surveys.

Distinguish between an experiment and an observational study.

Discuss the basic principles of experimental design.

Calculate probabilities using Venn diagrams, tree diagrams, and the addition and multiplication rules.

Describe the concepts of mutually exclusive events, conditional probability, dependent and independent events.

Discuss the concept of a sampling distribution.

Describe what is meant by the central limit theorem, and understand its relevance to statistical inference.

Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for estimating population proportions and means.

Formulate null and alternative hypotheses.

Conduct hypothesis tests for population proportions and means.

Explain the meaning of P-values in hypothesis testing.

Identify when and how to use the t-distribution.

Determine appropriate sample sizes for estimating an unknown population proportion or mean.

Conduct a Chi-Square test of independence.

Course Materials

Required Textbook

Students require the following e-textbook, which can be purchased directly from the TRU bookstore site at https://thebookstore.tru.ca/site_digital.asp.

De Veaux, R. D., Velleman, P. F., & Bock, D. E. (2022). Intro stats with Access to MyStatLab and Student's Solutions Manual (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley.

Type: E-textbook ISBN 9780136806981

Note

To access the solutions manual go to “Course Home” then click on “Video and Resource Library” . The solutions manual gives detailed solutions to the odd-numbered exercises in the textbook. The textbook itself gives brief solutions to odd-numbered questions in Appendix A.

Online Materials (Optional; Subject to Availability from the Publisher)

Your textbook may contain an access code card for the textbook publisher’s MyLab website. While using the material on this website is optional, you may benefit from the study aids provided.

Thompson Rivers University is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of third-party websites. Please read the terms of use of third-party websites carefully. If you need help accessing the site, please contact the publisher directly.

Note

If you have questions about course textbooks or other materials, email OL Materials.

Required Hardware, Software, Computer Skills, and Other Resources

Technical Basics lists the hardware, software, and computer skills requirements for your course.

Additional Resources

The other resources that you need for this course are the following:

Calculator

You are required to have a TI-83®, TI-83 Plus®, TI-84®, or TI-84 Plus® for this course. These calculators are readily available at electronic stores for approximately $120, or you may be able to purchase a used calculator since secondary school and college students use them extensively. You will need the calculator for your assignments and final exam.

Program

The publishers (Pearson) have a Stats program called StatCrunch (sold separately), which can also be used to help with the number crunching. Instructions on how to use StatCrunch are given at the end of each chapter of the textbook. We do not provide StatCrunch help in the units, since you are not required to purchase it.

Course Topics

This course is divided into the following five units.

Unit 1: Exploring and Understanding Data

Unit 2: Exploring Relationships Between Variables

Unit 3: Gathering Data

Unit 4: From the Data at Hand to the World at Large

Unit 5: Inference for Relationships

Learning Activities

Proceed through the units using your Suggested Schedule to pace your study and keep yourself on track. Remember, if you have trouble getting started or making headway with a task, don’t hesitate to contact your Open Learning Faculty Member for assistance.

Course Units: STAT 1201 has five course units. Each course unit is organized into the following sections: Introduction, Learning Outcomes and Objectives, Study Plan, and Study Tips and Extra Examples. To complete a unit, progress sequentially through these sections. The main unit sections are described below.

Introduction: The introduction gives an overview of the content and chapters covered in the unit.

Outcomes and Objectives: The outcomes and objectives are the goals that you should be striving to master by the time you complete the unit. For each unit, read the unit outcomes and objectives to see what you will be learning in the unit. Then, after you have completed the unit, go over the outcomes and see if you have achieved them.

Study Plan: The Study Plan for each chapter within a unit provides the following suggested learning sequence. Read through the chapter and answer any “Just Checking” questions posed in the chapter. Answers to the “Just Checking” questions are at the end of each chapter.

Study Tips and Extra Examples: Work through the Study Tips and Extra Examples in the units. Do the suggested textbook practice exercises as listed in the units. Answers for the practice exercises are given at the back of the textbook, and detailed solutions are given in the Student’s Solutions Manual. Check your answers. It is a good idea to write your answers to the questions in a notebook or computer file, which you can use for preparing for the assignments and the final examination. Do the turn-in assignment questions for that chapter.

Practice Exam: The Practice Exam contains a practice final exam with answer key, along with copies of the formula sheets and the standard Normal and t-tables. In addition to the Practice Exam, study the learning objectives, textbook commentary, study questions, assignments, and notes you have made throughout the course.

Assessments

To complete this course successfully, you must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Exam. The following table shows how your final grade will be determined for this course.

Assessment                     Value

Assignment 1                    12%

Assignment 2                     9%

Assignment 3                     9%

Assignment 4                     9%

Assignment 5                     12%

Assignment 6                      9%

Mandatory Final Exam         40%

Total                                 100%

Assignments (60%)

Non-completion of an assignment will result in a mark of zero for that assignment.

To receive credit for this course, you are expected to complete six assignments that demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes and materials. The best way to achieve the learning outcomes of the course and to prepare for the final examination is by completing all assignments.

Each unit has at least one assignment that you send to your Open Learning Faculty Member for marking. The assignments consist of questions from exercises in the textbook, along with a few created by the course writer.

It is best to do the assignment questions as you complete each chapter in the unit, rather than going through the whole unit and then trying to do all the assignment questions. If you have trouble understanding a question, discuss it with your Open Learning Faculty Member before you submit the assignment.

Please send each assignment separately to your Open Learning Faculty Member. Make sure you follow the instructions given in the Assignments Overview area.

As soon as you have sent your assignment, and while waiting for your Open Learning Faculty Member to return it, begin the next unit.

When your marked assignment is returned, review your Open Learning Faculty Member’s comments and queries. Take the time to carefully go over the marked assignment. If necessary, reread sections of the textbook that gave you trouble. What lessons can you apply to your next assignment? Contact your Open Learning Faculty Member if you have any questions or problems.

Your Open Learning Faculty Member assigns the grade you receive on an assignment. If you disagree with a mark, discuss it with your Open Learning Faculty Member. Contact with your Open Learning Faculty Member before assignment submission is important, particularly if you are having difficulty.

Note

Always keep a copy of each assignment you submit so that you have a copy to refer to in the event of a telephone or email conference with your Open Learning Faculty Member.

Final Exam (40%)

Your final invigilated exam is 3 hours in length.

Do not attempt the Final Exam until you have completed and submitted all assignments, have had adequate time for review, and have thoroughly practiced. Note that final exams are not returned to students in order to maintain exam integrity.

Please see the Final Exam tab in your course for instructions on writing your exam.

Grading Scale

The official grading scale for all Open Learning courses is the official TRU Academic/Career/Developmental Programs scale as noted in TRU’s “Grading Systems and Procedures.”