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Activity Number:
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113
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Type:
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Contributed
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Date/Time:
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Monday, August 4, 2008 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Statistical Education
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| Abstract - #301169 |
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Title:
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A Visual Model for the Variance and Standard Deviation
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Author(s):
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James B. Orris*+
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Companies:
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Butler University
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Address:
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College of Business Administration, Indianapolis, IN, 46208,
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Keywords:
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standard deviation ; variance ; visual model ; descriptive statistics
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Abstract:
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All introductory statistics courses discuss the variance and standard deviation; however, in many cases students just calculate a number using a computational equation but have little appreciation for what it represents. This approach focuses on the definitional equation for the variance that is based on the sum of squared deviations from the mean. It looks at each squared deviation as a graphical object, i.e., a square. A series of displays show how the standard deviation is the size of the 'average' square. This model gives students a better appreciation for the variance and standard deviation since they can visualize it graphically. This model may also be expanded in the future to represent more advanced concepts, perhaps a graphical analysis of variance.
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- The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
- Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.
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