Text: The Exploration and Analysis of Data, 6 ^th ed., by Roxy Peck and Jay Devore (Thomson Brooks/Cole). Most students will purchase the text in e-book form, although the JCU Bookstore will also stock a small number of physical books. Both the e-book and the physical book are bundled with Enhanced WebAssign access, which is required for the course.

Important Note: Whether you prefer the e-book or the physical book option, you will need daily access to the Enhanced WebAssign electronic homework and learning system. Both book formats, as sold in the JCU Bookstore, are bundled with an access card that allows you to register with WebAssign. If you prefer to purchase a physical book from another source, the ISBN is 0-495-39087-9. You would then have to purchase WebAssign separately, at a cost of about $35. See http://www.jcu.edu/math/docs/bookinfo.pdf for further information.

Course Content: The purpose of this course is to introduce you to statistical methods for describing and analyzing data, including exploratory data analysis and elementary inferential procedures.  You will also learn to use the computer statistics package SPSS, as a computational tool and as an aid to understanding statistical concepts.  Topics covered in the course include measures of center, position and variation; distribution and graphical representation of data; correlation and regression; estimation and tests of hypotheses based on the normal, t and chi-square distributions, including inferences about means, proportions and independence.

Computer Use: Because use of SPSS is an integral part of the course, completion of homework assignments will frequently require time in one of the JCU computer labs.

More:  If you have any questions about the course, please contact me (Dr. Carl Spitznagel). Students enrolled in this course are invited to visit the course Blackboard site for additional information (available in January, 2010).