Objectives -- After completing this module, you will be able to:

• Read, understand, and explain to others the results of statistical data analyses
• Decide if a researcher's approach to data analysis was appropriate, given the design, sampling approach and nature of the data s/he collected
• Select a data analysis approach that is appropriate for your own work

Class Preparation for October 14 -- second hour of our class meeting

Topic 1: Why do we need to be SOPHISTICATED about statistics?

Let's start with a very educational and very short video. Statistically Funny

Topic 2: Covering the basics

Other Not So Funny Basic Stuff on using statistics and the logic of statistical testing. If you find yourself spending a lot of time on things you already feel free to skip those topics, but please use these materials in Assignments 3, 4 and 5.

Comparative Characteristics of Design Groups Once again -- look this time at the relationships between (1) the nature of the research question, (2) the type of design that is appropriate to answer the question, and (3) the kind of statistical analyses (if any) that are most appropriate for typical uses of the design.

My cheat sheet -- it's not great, but it may be useful to you. Statistics Cheat Sheet

The Statistics Tutor's Quick Guide to Commonly Used Statistical Tests I think this is much better than my cheat sheet. I think it is easier to use and easeir to read. Section 1 which defines key terms explains what these terms mean and why they are important and how to interpret the 'statistic' used to express the term in very simple language with lots of good, graphic examples. If it were me, I would use this instead of the Swisher statistics cheat sheet.