Introduction to Probability Theory and Health Statistics
Case Assignment
Part 1 (approximately 1-1.5 pages, total):
Copy and paste the following examples (A-F below), then respond by classifying each of the following variables as either: nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio. Provide a brief explanation where indicated.
A researcher studying lifespan categorizes individuals into single, married, divorced, or widowed. What type of variable measurement is this?
A cognitive scientist places her subjects into categories based on how anxious they tell her that they are feeling: “not anxious,†“mildly anxious,†“moderately anxious,†and “severely anxious,†and she uses the numbers 0, 1, 2 and 3 to label categories where lower numbers indicate less anxiety. What type of variable measurement is this? Are the categories mutually exclusive?
A Physician diagnoses the presence or absence of disease (i.e., yes or no). What type of variable measurement is this?
A person weighing 200 lbs. is considered to be twice as heavy as a person weighing 100 lbs. In this case, what type of measurement is body weight?
A nurse takes measurements of body temperature on patients and reports them in units of degrees Farenheit as part of a study. What type of variable measurement is this?
Patients rate their experience in the emergency room on a five point scale from poor to excellent ( 1 = very poor, 2 = not very good, 3 = neither good nor bad, 4 = quite good, and 5 = excellent). What type of variable measurement is this? Is the difference between a 1 and a 2 necessarily the same as the difference between a 3 and a 4? Explain briefly.
Part 2: Statistics (1/2 page)
Given what you’ve learned in this module about the meaning of “statistics,†choose one of the examples from Part I (A-F), and raise a relevant question of your own that could be answered by a statistician. Then without answering your own question, explain how a pattern could be studied or a useful prediction made based on data that are to be collected.
Part 3: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data (approximately 1-1.5 pages)
A health scientist wishes to measure how well participants diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are coping. Explain how a variable such as coping could be measured quantitatively or qualitatively.
Assignment Expectations
Use the information in the modular background readings as well as resources you find through ProQuest or other online sources. Please be sure to cite all sources and provide a reference list at the end of the paper. Submit the paper as a Word document through the link provided for the assignment.
Length: 2-3 pages typed and double-spaced.
Your Case paper will be further evaluated based on the following criteria:
Precision (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Each question and or assignment requirement is addressed in the paper.
Accuracy of your answers, key points and supporting discussion
Clarity (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
The paper is well organized, concise, reads clearly, and it is not confusing.
Breadth (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
The paper presents appropriate breadth covering the assignment questions/requirements.
Depth (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Presents key points that lead to deeper matters and issues.
Integrates several points into coherent conclusions.
Critical Thinking (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
The paper demonstrates good understanding and synthesis of the module background material.
Logically incorporates key concepts presented in the background material into the overall analyses, key points and supporting discussions.
Presents well-reasoned conclusions and position as well as convincing arguments in support of the same.
Writing Mechanics
Grammar (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Spelling (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Vocabulary (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Referencing (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Additional considerations to keep in mind while working on your Case Assignments:
Originality and Use of directly quoted material
The purpose of each assignment is for you to present your understanding and synthesis of the background material and key concepts. Accordingly, this must be accomplished substantially in your own words.
Use directly quoted material sparingly and only when preserving the exact words of an author is necessary. For purposes of this course, rarely should directly quoted material represent more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your entire case paper- content. Composing a paper patched together from mostly quoted material is not acceptable.
Be sure to properly reference all directly quoted material and include the in-text citations. All paraphrased information also requires reference citations at the end of the paraphrased section.
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