This paper examines the use of analogies in statistics instruction. Much has been written about the difficulty social work students have with statistics. To address this concern, Glisson and Fischer (1987) called for the use of analogies. Understanding of analogical problem solving has surged in the last few decades with the integration of…

An investigative activity dealing with where to pitch a tent at a campsite is described. (MNS)

Least-squares line fitting is developed without calculus. Its rationale and an example with consumption patterns are provided. (MNS)

One activity concerned with describing data about students in the class and a second activity based on students' original story problems are discussed. (DT)

Presents an educational game on probability that can be the starting point for an open-ended statistical project. (ASK)

An approach to using the method of least squares, a scheme for computing the best-fitting line directly from a set of points, is detailed. The material first looks at fitting a numerical value to a set of numbers. This provides tools for solving the line-fitting problem. (MP)

Discusses a method that uses spreadsheets to calculate the exact distribution of the sum of two or more discrete random variables with arbitrary distributions. Demonstrates how this method can be used to investigate several problems that would be found interesting at the elementary level. (Author/ASK)

Encourages students to use reasoning and quantitative problem-solving skills to discover the solution to an important practical problem related to absolute-value function and statistical median. (ASK)

Solutions to a problem on seating arrangements and one on a box-office situation are discussed; a statistical approach is used. Four computer programs are included. (MNS)

Provides extensive reviews of computer software, examining documentation, ease of use, performance, error handling, special features, and system requirements. Includes statistics, problem-solving (TK Solver), label printing, database management, experimental psychology, Encyclopedia Britannica biology, and DNA-sequencing programs. A program for…

Details are provided of a program on actuarial training developed at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton through the Department of Mathematical Sciences. An outline of its operation, including a few statistics on students in the program, is included. (MP)

Presents an activity introducing probability and patterns to multigrade students. Uses the storybook "The Thirteen Days of Halloween" to demonstrate numbers, patterns, and probability. (ASK)

Proposes sports statistics as a source of interesting and motivating problems for algebra students. Examines the possible solutions to a problem involving winning percentages in baseball. (MDH)

The problem of managing the reserve of cobalt is presented, followed by a method for bringing the stockpiled amount from any level to a desired goal. Solving a stochastic programming problem is involved. The procedure is discussed in detail. (MNS)

A method of organizing data known as a stem-leaf plot is presented in detail. This method is viewed to overcome many of the disadvantages associated with the traditional methods of grouping in the frequency distribution table and provides a convenient introduction to data organization. (MP)