STAT200 Introduction to Statistics
Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan
Assignment #1: Prepare Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan
Before conducting any statistical analyses, researchers develop a plan for how they will analyze their
data to answer their research questions. The purpose of this assignment is to provide an experience
developing a descriptive statistics analysis plan. Note: This first assignment is a plan only; no statistics
will be calculated or graphs created. The second assignment will involve carrying out the plan, after
receiving feedback from your instructor.
Assignment Steps:
Step #1: Review the STAT200 data set file. (Note: This data set will be used for all three of this term’s
written assignments).
The data is a subsample from the US Department of Labor’s Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) and
provides information about the composition of households and their annual expenditures
(https://www.bls.gov/cex/). Detailed information on the sample and variables is included with the data
set file; please carefully review this information to familiarize yourself with the data (Note: This
information will be used in Assignment #2 to describe the dataset).
Step #2: Develop descriptive statistics data analysis plan.
➢ Task 1: Develop scenario. Imagine that you are head of a household and have to determine a
household budget plan based on the data available from the dataset. For instance, you are a 35
year old single parent with a high school diploma and one child.
➢ Task 2: Select variables for analysis that match the scenario developed in Task 1.The data set
provides information on household consumption; there are socioeconomic variables and
expenditures variables. The socioeconomic variable names start with “SE-” and the expenditure
variable names start with a “USD;” all expenditures are in US dollars. All students must use
income as one variable. Select two additional socioeconomic variables (one qualitative and one
quantitative) and two expenditures for your analysis that match the scenario you developed for
Task 1. For instance, using the example scenario of a 35 year old single parent with a high
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
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school diploma and one child, you could select “income,” “education,” and “number of children”
as socioeconomic variables and then pick two household expenditure items to show the
distribution of costs and compare that with your income. When selecting variables, think about
the following three questions:
o Why am I choosing these variables?
o What interests me about these variables?
o What do I think will be the outcome?
➢ Task 3: Determine appropriate measures of central tendency and dispersion for the selected
variables. For each quantitative variable, select at least one measure of central tendency and at
least one measure of dispersion (Please see below table for list of measures). For the qualitative
variable, select one measure of central tendency. When determining the measures of central
tendency and dispersion, think about what is appropriate given the level of measurement and
type of variable. Recommend referring to the text and information posted in our LEO classroom
to help with this task (Note: you will use this information to provide a rationale for your choice
of measures).
Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Dispersion
● Mean
● Mode
● Median
● Range
● Sample Standard Deviation
● Variance
➢ Task 4: Determine appropriate graph and/or table for each of the selected variables. Select
one graph or table for each variable (Please see below table for list of graphs and tables). When
determining the graphs and tables, think about what is appropriate given the level of
measurement and type of variable. Recommend referring to the text and information posted in
our LEO classroom to help with this task (Note: you will use this information to provide a
rationale for your choice of graphs and/or tables).
Types of Graphs Types of Tables
● Pie Chart
● Bar Chart
● Histogram
● Box Plots (also known as Box-and-Whiskers Plot)
● Frequency Table
● Relative Frequency Table
● Grouped Frequency Table
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
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Step #3: Complete the “Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan Template.”
Remember, you will not be conducting any statistical analysis, drawing any graphs, or compiling any
tables for the first assignment. Rather, you need to wait for feedback from your instructor on this
assignment and use that feedback to complete Assignment #2.
Here are the main sections for this assignment (i.e., completing the plan template):
✓ Identifying Information. Fill in information on name, class, instructor, and date.
✓ Scenario. In this section, briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the scenario you developed in Step #2,
Task 1.
✓ Complete Table 1: Variables Selected for the Analysis. Enter information the variables selected
for analysis in Step #2, Task 2. For each selected variable be sure to include its: name as listed in
the data set, description, and variable type.
✓ Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected Outcome(s): In this section, for each
selected variable, please answer the following questions:
✓ Why did I choose this variable?
✓ What interests me about this variable?
✓ What do I think will be the outcome?
✓ Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables. Enter information on
selected measures of central tendency and dispersion for each selected variable. Be sure to
briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required
variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing
information on the remaining variables.
✓ Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables. Enter information on
selected graph and/or table for each selected variable. Be sure to briefly explain why you
choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has
already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the
remaining variables.
Assignment Submission: Name the file that contains your completed “Assignment #1: Descriptive
Statistics Data Analysis Plan Template” using the following format: “Assignment1-StudentLastName.”
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
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Then, submit the file via the Assignments area in the LEO classroom in the “Assignment #1: Descriptive
Statistics Data Analysis Plan” folder and wait for your instructor’s feedback.
Grading Rubric for Written Assignment #1
Scenario and Selection of Related Variables
● Clear description of scenario
● Selected variables and reasons are appropriate for the scenario.
20%
Selection of Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
For each variable:
● Appropriate measures selected.
● Rationale is provided and appropriate.
30%
Selection of Graphs and/or Tables
For each variable:
● Appropriate measures selected.
● Rationale is provided and appropriate.
30%
Writing Quality:
Completes all sections of template.
Writes clearly, concisely, and with few errors.
20%