A PDF of a Chapter 1 draft has been posted to the website (see downloads). This chapter focuses on data basics. In particular, this chapter includes
- variable types,
- bias in data,
- data structure,
- graphing data, and
- types of studies.
We will re-release Chapter 1 in the future with an R supplement.
We have omitted the following topics for the following reasons:
- Stem-and-leaf diagrams: this method is not used in practice.
- Sampling methods (beyond SRS): these will be introduced later when students understand the motivation for stratified, cluster, and multistage sampling.
- Blocking: as with sampling, it is difficult for students to understand the purpose of blocking without discussing modeling.
- Z scores: we postpone this topic until Chapter 3, where we discuss modeling and Z scores become important.
We look forward to reading your comments below on Chapter 1.