The Importance of Using Case Studies/Projects in a Second Statistics Course

• Activity Number: 204
• Type: Roundtables
• Date/Time: Monday, July 30, 2012 : 12:30 PM to 1:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Shonda R Kuiper*+
• Companies: Grinnell College

Abstract

Case studies make students grapple with intriguing real-world problems that demonstrate the intellectual content and broad applicability of statistics as a discipline. Instead of focusing on a list of statistical techniques that should be taught in a second statistics course, we focus on statistical concepts, such as the importance of considering how the data was collected, model assumptions, and proper communication. These concepts are often much more effectively taught through investigative case studies than simply looking at traditional textbooks and homework problems. Case studies can introduce undergraduates to relatively advanced statistical methods from a variety of disciplines and encourage students early in their undergraduate studies to experience the role of a statistician working in any field.