Topics in Introductory Statistics

Topics in Introductory Statistics is intended for an introductory course at the 100 level and assumes just a basic elementary algebra background. The book is written in a module/topic format. The material to be covered is divided into three modules, much the way tests might be given.  Module 1 covers the basic terminology of statistics, then discusses descriptive statistics and probability.  Module 2 discusses probability distributions, including binomial, normal, and sampling distributions.  Module 3 introduces inferential statistics and discusses confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression. 

Each module begins with a brief introduction using real examples of the material to be presented.  Each module ends with a brief review and a set of practice problems that are helpful for test review.  Answers to these review questions are given following the review, but these answers could possibly be linked to a separate page in the e-book. There are 11 basic statistical topics covered in this book, spread over the three modules as shown in the Table of Contents. At the end of each topic is a set of topic homework exercises, answers to which are currently in an Appendix but could possibly be linked to a separate page in the e-book.

Throughout each topic are several Check Your Understanding Exercises, allowing students to practice on the material just presented before moving on to the next idea.  These are very similar to what might be done in class as a way to check that students have understood what was just presented.  Answers to these appear at the end of the topic, but those answers could also be a link in the e-book. Formulas are always presented for each statistical calculation to be performed.  But, once the formula has been presented and verified, students are shown how those calculations can be performed with technology, using the TI-84+ calculator and/or Excel.  My personal preference is that students understand the formula but use technology to actually perform the calculations.