Descriptive Statistics Part I: Normal Curves, Variability, and Plotting

Case Assignment

This is a three-part assignment related to a study of contraceptive drug use among women. Following is a distribution of systolic blood pressures cross tabulated by age and pill use for women.

Table 2A. Distribution of systolic blood pressure, cross-tabulated by age and pill use.

First, state whether blood pressure in Table 2A would be a continuous variable or a discrete variable. Explain. Then supposing that the number of women in each of groups (non-users and users) were identified, would the number of women in each category be a continuous variable or a discrete variable? Explain.

Part 2: Use any free online histogram maker* to draw Histograms for the blood pressures of the users and nonusers ages 35–44. Discuss one conclusion that can be made about blood pressure and pill use. *Here are some free resources:

http://www.zweigmedia.com/RealWorld/stats/histogram.html

Part 3: Based on what you’ve learned in this module about normal distributions, explain why a normal approximation of data would be helpful to view the data. For example, you could describe the steps that one would take to estimate the percentage of women with blood pressures in an age group.

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’s 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.