Introductory Statistics

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IS: Business Practicum Assignment 4

[lamplighter icon]
Practicum Assignment 4: Confident Customers

As with the previous practicum, let us make some predictions about future events using the Lamplighter dataset to answer our research question. This research question deals with the number of customers entering my establishment.

The Research Question

Collecting the Data

Again, use the Lamplighter data file that you have saved to your computer. Copy it from your Practicum folder and save it to your Practicum 4 folder. This will allow you to start with the entire data set and pare it down as you desire.

Analyzing the Data

Use the data to correctly answer the research question.

Interpreting the Results

Interpret your analysis. Include appropriate univariate graphics. Make sure that you defend your choices (of analyses and of data). Spend a full, separate paragraph defending your decision on which data to use. Be explicit about what statistical procedures you ran and why you ran those procedures. Again, spend another full paragraph defending your choices of procedures. Your reader (me) should never have to guess about your analysis. If I have to guess, I will guess incorrectly.

Note that if you provide a point estimate, you will also need to provide a confidence interval for that estimate. Again, you will need to specify which part of the data you used and why you used that part. Defend your decisions. However, just because you defend your decisions does not make the decisions correct. A part of your grade will be based on those decisions, not just how well you defend them. Do not select a sample that is too restrictive or too unrepresentative.

Checklist

In additional to the general checklist (see the Overview), here is the particular checklist for this practicum activity.

  • Data subset decisions are correct and explicitly stated
  • Data analyzed appropriately, where decisions are explicit in the write-up
  • Point estimate of the expected number of customers calculated
  • Confidence interval for the expected number of customers calculated
  • Appropriate univariate graphic provided
  • Appendix: All R Code is included in the appendix

Structural Example

Here is a document laying out the necessary sections and what should go in each (it should look just last the previous practicum activity). Additionally, here is an example to help you make sure you are presenting your results fully and in a meaningful manner. Note the structure and how the information provided in each of the sections. Be clear. Use statistics to support your conclusion. Interpret the results. Earn that grade.