Question: Suggested Readings

Use your Warner text, Applied Statistics: From Bivariate Through Multivariate Techniques,

• Read Chapter 2, "Basic Statistics, Sampling Error, and Confidence Intervals," pages 41-80. This reading addresses the following topics:

a. Sample mean ( M).

b. Sum of squared deviations ( SS).

c. Sample variance ( s2).

d. Sample standard deviation ( s).

e. Sample standard error ( SE).

f. Confidence intervals (CIs).

• Read Chapter 4, "Preliminary Data Screening" pages 125-184. This reading addresses the following topics:

a. Problems in real data.

b. Identification of errors and inconsistencies.

c. Missing values.

d. Data screening for individual variables.

e. Data screening for bivariate analysis.

f. Data transformations.

g. Reporting preliminary data screening.

For this DISCUSSION: Using Descriptive Statistics

• Discuss your previous experience with descriptive statistics. For example, you have probably encountered descriptive statistics in an undergraduate course and in journal articles.

• Analyze the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics.

• Finally, discuss how you might use descriptive statistics in your professional or academic future.

• Remember to cite your supporting references.

Disc 2: For this discussion: Confidence Intervals

• Define the term confidence interval (CI).

• Specify the use of confidence intervals in statistical analysis.

• Analyze why the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association strongly recommends the inclusion of confidence intervals in study results.

a. APA Style Central provides guidance in using proper APA style. See the APA Style and Format section of the Writing Center for instructions on accessing and using APA Style Central.