STAT 130: Understanding Statistics in Society (GE)
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: Any MATH class, or a passing score on a placement test approved by
the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Designed for students who need to comprehend statistics that is used in the media,
print, and to a lesser extent peer reviewed journal articles. The aim of this course
is to explore the way statistics are used in society. Emphasis is placed on understanding
descriptive and inferential statistics as they are presented in various media and
print venues.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Will
not satisfy requirements for a major in mathematics. Students may not receive credit
for STAT 130 after having successfully completed a statistics course numbered 200
or above
Detailed Description of Course
1) Experimental and observational studies
2) Types of data
3) Basic random sampling
4) Descriptive statistics
a. Measures of center (mean, median, mode, weighted mean)
b. Measures of variability (range, standard deviation, variance, standard
error)
c. graphical methods of numerical and categorical data
d. descriptive regression and correlation
5) Hypothesis tests based on one sample of the mean and proportion
6) One sample confidence intervals for the mean and proportion
7) Contingency tables and chi squared tests
8) Analyzing print and media sources will be used throughout the content of this
course.
9) Other content as time permits. Topics may include:
a. Two sample confidence intervals on the mean and proportion
b. Two sample hypothesis tests of the mean and proportion
c. Interpretation of output from statistical packages
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lectures, group work, homework, readings, and tests may be employed. A common, comprehensive
final exam is given. Calculators will be used extensively.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Intended primarily as a statistical literacy course for students whose professional
interests require them to be able to understand and analyze statistical information.
Students will calculate and interpret descriptive statistics and interpret graphical
representations of data. Students will create and interpret hypothesis tests for means,
proportions, and contingency tables. Students will apply these skills to interpret
statistics as it is used in society.
Radford University students will be able to use the tools of mathematics and quantitative
reasoning to conceptualize and solve problems.
Upon successful completion of this course Radford University students will be able
to:
1) Interpret relationships among numeric, symbolic, and graphical information
as applied to the real world;
2) Solve problems using numeric, symbolic, and graphical information.
Assessment Measures
Will be instructor specific. Instructors may use tests, quizzes, in-class exercises,
homework, and/or projects. There will be a cumulative final exam.
Other Course Information
Will fulfill the mathematical sciences component of College Core B
Review and Approval
November 7, 2017
April 1, 2016
March 01, 2021