Assignment #1: Prepare Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan

Before conducting any statistical analyses, researchers develop a plan for how they will analyze their

data to answer their research questions. The purpose of this assignment is to provide an experience

developing a descriptive statistics analysis plan. Note: This first assignment is a plan only; no statistics

will be calculated or graphs created. The second assignment will involve carrying out the plan.

STAT200: Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Analysis Plan – Template

Page 1 of 3

University of Maryland University College

STAT200 – Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis P
lan

Identifying Information

Student (Full Name):

Class:

Instructor:

Date:

Scenario: Please write a few lines describing your scenario and the four variables (in addition to income) you have selected.
Use Table 1 to report the variables selected for this assignment. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 1. Variables Selected for the Analysis

Variable Name in the Data Set

Description
(See the data dictionary for describing the variables.)

Type of Variable

(Qualitative or Quantitative)
Variable 1: “Income”
Annual household income in USD.
Quantitative
Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5:

Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected Outcome(s):

Variable 1: “Income” –

Variable 2: “ “ –

Variable 3: “ “ –

Variable 4: “ “ –

Variable 5: “ “ –

Data Set Description
:

Proposed Data Analysis:
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables

Variable Name

Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

Rationale for Why Appropriate
Variable 1:
“Income”
Number of Observations
Median
Sample Standard Deviation
I am using median for two reasons:
If there are any outliers or the data is not normally distributed, the median is the best measure of central tendency.
The variable is quantitative.

I am using sample standard deviation for three reasons:
The data is a sample from a larger data set.
It is the most commonly used measure of dispersion.
The variable is quantitative.

Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5:

Graphs and/or Tables

Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Table for Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those graphs and/or tables. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables

Variable Name

Graph and/or Table

Rationale for why Appropriate?
Variable 1:
“Income”
Graph: I will use the histogram to show the normal distribution of data.
Histogram is one of the best plot to show the normal distribution of quantitative level data .
Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5:

STAT

2

00 Introduction to Statistics

Dataset for Written Assignments

Description of Dataset:

The data is a random sample from the US Department of Labor’s

20

1

6

Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) and provides information about the composition of households and their annual expenditures (

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

). It contains information from

3

0 households, where a survey responder provided the requested information; it is all self-reported information. This dataset contains four socioeconomic variables (whose names start with SE) and four expenditure variables (whose names start with USD).

Description of Variables/Data Dictionary:

The following table is a data dictionary that describes the variables and their locations in this dataset (Note: Dataset is on second page of this document):

Amount in US Dollars

Amount in US Dollars

Amount in US Dollars

Amount in US Dollars

Variable Name	Location in Dataset	Variable Description	Coding
UniqueID#	First Column	Unique number used to identify each survey responder	Each responder has a unique number from 1- 30
SE-MaritalStatus	Second Column	Marital Status of Head of Household	Not Married /Married
SE-Income	Third Column	Total Annual Household Income					Amount in US Dollars
SE-AgeHeadHousehold	Fourth Column	Age of the Head of Household	Age in Years
SE-FamilySize	Fifth Column	Total Number of People in Family (Both Adults and Children)	Number of People in Family
USD-Food	Sixth Column	Total Amount of Annual Expenditures on Food
USD-Meat	Seventh Column	Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Meat
USD-Bakery	Eighth Column	Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Bakery
USD-Fruits	Ninth Column	Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Fruit

How to read the data set: Each row contains information from one household. For instance, the first row of the dataset starting on the next page shows us that: the head of household is not married and is

5

2

years old, has an annual household income of $

9

5,

7

4

4, a family size of 4, annual food expenditures of $7,0

40

, and spends $

906

on meat, $

3

53

on bakery items, and $

753

on fruit.

Not Married

1

Not Married

4

918

4

Not Married

3

Not Married

2

Not Married

2

Not Married

2

Not Married

4

Not Married

3

Not Married

43

4

Not Married

59

2

880

353

Not Married

2

768

Not Married

2

880

349

Not Married

3

906

Not Married

2

344

4

Married

5

Married

1

Married

54

3

Married

5

Married

31

5

Married

52

4

Married

51

3

Married

48

4

Married

4

Married

4

Married

23

4

10575

Married

56

3

Married

48

2

Married

18

3

UniqueID#	SE-MaritalStatus	SE-Income	SE-AgeHeadHousehold	SE-FamilySize	USD-Food	USD-Meat	USD-Bakery	USD-Fruits
		1															Not Married	9 57 44		52											4	7040		906		35 3	753
								2	94 8 67	60	6935		9 18	3 51	7 46
							3	96 24 4		56	7073	338	773
987 17	40	70 36	889	3 48		768
			5	96697	49	6971	898	357	779
6	96886	44	6982	917	3 59	752
7	949 29		59	6948	899	34 5	771
8	96653		51	69 43			880	352	781
9	969 28		43	6953	887	343	759
10	965 22	6991	922		349	758
11	96572	7179	744
12	966 21		54	7000	911		344
13	96690	57	6822	764
14	96664	53	7051	346	772
15	95366			48	7130	904	760
16															Married	100947	35	8455	910	415	1001
17	114505	36	11375	1368	537	1124
	18	95865	46	9321	1159	447	1006
19	95835	9111	1098	452	10 27
20	1003 50		31	9044	1015	407	11 42
21	113558	10346	1343	515	1122
22	95706	89 25	1207	454	1003
	23	106906	11356	1434	493	1286
24	109377		10575	1492	517	1096
25	102081	42	11738	1348	484	1379
26	103001	34	8947	864	427	951
27	110553	1346	531	1090
28	106977	10611	1320	546	1120
29	101890	11089	1481	541	1157
30	100565	8479	893	370	1068

STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
Page 1 of 4

STAT200 Introduction to Statistics

Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan

Assignment #1: Prepare Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan

Before conducting any statistical analyses, researchers develop a plan for how they will analyze their

data to answer their research questions. The purpose of this assignment is to provide an experience

developing a descriptive statistics analysis plan. Note: This first assignment is a plan only; no statistics

will be calculated or graphs created. The second assignment will involve carrying out the plan, after

receiving feedback from your instructor.

Assignment Steps:

Step #1: Review the STAT200 data set file. (Note: This data set will be used for all three of this term’s

written assignments).

The data is a subsample from the US Department of Labor’s Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) and

provides information about the composition of households and their annual expenditures

(https://www.bls.gov/cex/). Detailed information on the sample and variables is included with the data

set file; please carefully review this information to familiarize yourself with the data (Note: This

information will be used in Assignment #2 to describe the dataset).

Step #2: Develop descriptive statistics data analysis plan.

➢ Task 1: Develop scenario. Imagine that you are head of a household and have to determine a

household budget plan based on the data available from the dataset. For instance, you are a 35

year old single parent with a high school diploma and one child.

➢ Task 2: Select variables for analysis that match the scenario developed in Task 1.The data set

provides information on household consumption; there are socioeconomic variables and

expenditures variables. The socioeconomic variable names start with “SE-” and the expenditure

variable names start with a “USD;” all expenditures are in US dollars. All students must use

income as one variable. Select two additional socioeconomic variables (one qualitative and one

quantitative) and two expenditures for your analysis that match the scenario you developed for

Task 1. For instance, using the example scenario of a 35 year old single parent with a high

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

https://www.bls.gov/cex/

STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
Page 2 of 4

school diploma and one child, you could select “income,” “education,” and “number of children”

as socioeconomic variables and then pick two household expenditure items to show the

distribution of costs and compare that with your income. When selecting variables, think about

the following three questions:

o Why am I choosing these variables?

o What interests me about these variables?

o What do I think will be the outcome?

➢ Task 3: Determine appropriate measures of central tendency and dispersion for the selected

variables. For each quantitative variable, select at least one measure of central tendency and at

least one measure of dispersion (Please see below table for list of measures). For the qualitative

variable, select one measure of central tendency. When determining the measures of central

tendency and dispersion, think about what is appropriate given the level of measurement and

type of variable. Recommend referring to the text and information posted in our LEO classroom

to help with this task (Note: you will use this information to provide a rationale for your choice

of measures).

Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Dispersion

● Mean
● Mode
● Median

● Range
● Sample Standard Deviation
● Variance

➢ Task 4: Determine appropriate graph and/or table for each of the selected variables. Select

one graph or table for each variable (Please see below table for list of graphs and tables). When

determining the graphs and tables, think about what is appropriate given the level of

measurement and type of variable. Recommend referring to the text and information posted in

our LEO classroom to help with this task (Note: you will use this information to provide a

rationale for your choice of graphs and/or tables).

Types of Graphs Types of Tables

● Pie Chart
● Bar Chart
● Histogram
● Box Plots (also known as Box-and-Whiskers Plot)

● Frequency Table
● Relative Frequency Table
● Grouped Frequency Table

STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
Page 3 of 4

Step #3: Complete the “Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan Template.”

Remember, you will not be conducting any statistical analysis, drawing any graphs, or compiling any

tables for the first assignment. Rather, you need to wait for feedback from your instructor on this

assignment and use that feedback to complete Assignment #2.

Here are the main sections for this assignment (i.e., completing the plan template):

✓ Identifying Information. Fill in information on name, class, instructor, and date.

✓ Scenario. In this section, briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the scenario you developed in Step #2,

Task 1.

✓ Complete Table 1: Variables Selected for the Analysis. Enter information the variables selected

for analysis in Step #2, Task 2. For each selected variable be sure to include its: name as listed in

the data set, description, and variable type.

✓ Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected Outcome(s): In this section, for each

selected variable, please answer the following questions:

✓ Why did I choose this variable?

✓ What interests me about this variable?

✓ What do I think will be the outcome?

✓ Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables. Enter information on

selected measures of central tendency and dispersion for each selected variable. Be sure to

briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required

variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing

information on the remaining variables.

✓ Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables. Enter information on

selected graph and/or table for each selected variable. Be sure to briefly explain why you

choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has

already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the

remaining variables.

Assignment Submission: Name the file that contains your completed “Assignment #1: Descriptive

Statistics Data Analysis Plan Template” using the following format: “Assignment1-StudentLastName.”

STAT200: Written Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan – Instructions
Page 4 of 4

Then, submit the file via the Assignments area in the LEO classroom in the “Assignment #1: Descriptive

Statistics Data Analysis Plan” folder and wait for your instructor’s feedback.

Grading Rubric for Written Assignment #1

Scenario and Selection of Related Variables

● Clear description of scenario

● Selected variables and reasons are appropriate for the scenario.

20%

Selection of Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

For each variable:

● Appropriate measures selected.

● Rationale is provided and appropriate.

30%

Selection of Graphs and/or Tables

For each variable:
● Appropriate measures selected.
● Rationale is provided and appropriate.
30%

Writing Quality:
Completes all sections of template.
Writes clearly, concisely, and with few errors.

20%

STAT200: Assignment #1 – Descriptive Statistics Analysis Plan – Template

Page 1 of 3

University of Maryland University College

STAT200 – Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis P
lan

Identifying Information

Student (Full Name):

Class:

Instructor:

Date:

Scenario: Please write a few lines describing your scenario and the four variables (in addition to income) you have selected.
Use Table 1 to report the variables selected for this assignment. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 1. Variables Selected for the Analysis

Variable Name in the Data Set

Description
(See the data dictionary for describing the variables.)

Type of Variable

(Qualitative or Quantitative)
Variable 1: “Income”
Annual household income in USD.
Quantitative
Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5:

Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected Outcome(s):

Variable 1: “Income” –

Variable 2: “ “ –

Variable 3: “ “ –

Variable 4: “ “ –

Variable 5: “ “ –

Data Set Description
:

Proposed Data Analysis:
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables

Variable Name

Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

Rationale for Why Appropriate
Variable 1:
“Income”
Number of Observations
Median
Sample Standard Deviation
I am using median for two reasons:
If there are any outliers or the data is not normally distributed, the median is the best measure of central tendency.
The variable is quantitative.

I am using sample standard deviation for three reasons:
The data is a sample from a larger data set.
It is the most commonly used measure of dispersion.
The variable is quantitative.

Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5:

Graphs and/or Tables

Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Table for Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those graphs and/or tables. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables

Variable Name

Graph and/or Table

Rationale for why Appropriate?
Variable 1:
“Income”
Graph: I will use the histogram to show the normal distribution of data.
Histogram is one of the best plot to show the normal distribution of quantitative level data .
Variable 2:

Variable 3:

Variable 4:

Variable 5: