Copyright © 2013, 2009, and 2007, Pearson Education, Inc.

Chapter 1Statistics: The Art and

Science of Learning from Data

Section 1.3

Using Calculators and Computers

Copyright © 2013, 2009, and 2007, Pearson Education, Inc.3

Using (and Misusing) Statistics Software and Calculators

MINITAB and SPSS are two popular statistical software packages on college campuses. The TI-83 + and TI-84 graphing calculators, which have similar output, are useful as portable tools for generating simple statistics and graphs.

Using Technology The problem is that a computer will perform the

statistical analysis you request whether or not its use is valid for the given situation. You, not technology, must select valid analyses.

Using Calculators and Computers

Copyright © 2013, 2009, and 2007, Pearson Education, Inc.4

Data files Large sets of data are typically organized in a

spreadsheet format known as a data file. Each row contains measurements for a particular

subject. Each column contains measurements for a

particular characteristic.Databases

An existing archive collection of data files. Not all databases give reliable information. Before

you give credence to such data, verify that the data are from a trustworthy source.

Using Calculators and Computers

Copyright © 2013, 2009, and 2007, Pearson Education, Inc.5

Applets A short application program for performing a

specific task.

Useful for performing activities that illustrate the ideas of statistics.

This is a type of simulation – using a computer to mimic what would actually happen if you elected a sample and used statistics in real life.

Using Calculators and Computers