CSIT58 Task 13 Assignment: Statistics and Database

Due November 29. Late deadline December 6

Reading:

In this assignment you will examine evidence about health claims and create a worksheet showing where the textbook for this class can be purchased.

Part 1 (15 points)

Type your answers in the answer box in Etudes or in a Word document to upload.

Read "Numbers can lie" and answer questions 1-6. Click the link to open a PDF file with the article.

1. Why is it so hard to test some things in Randomized Clinical Trials?

2. (3 points) Describe the 3 ways to perform Epidemiological Studies.

3. (2 points) What are the minuses of Epidemiological Studies?

4. Describe one example of a result that was disproved later.

5. What does Stan Young think is wrong with the way Epidemiological Studies are performed?

6. What qualifies Stan Young to be an authority?

Choose a substance that have health claims associated with it from the list below or choose your own.

Do an Internet search to find a page that discusses the health benefits (or non-benefits) of the item. Make sure the page includes some statistics. Answer the following questions:

7. (2 points) Give the web page title and URL.

8. (2 points) Summarize what the web page says.

9. (2 points) Identify a statistic used in the article.

Part 2 Database Worksheet (20 points)

The cost of college textbooks has been rising and students are looking for alternatives to the campus bookstore. You will research the cost of a textbook. You can choose the Asking the Right Questions textbook or any textbook you are interested in. Shop for the textbook online and create a database of your findings using Excel. Excel can be used as a simple database program as long as you have a limited number of records (rows) and do not need to print complicated reports.

a. Start Excel. Enter the textbook title in cell A1

b. Put your name in cell A2

c. (2 points) Enter the column labels below across row 3. Make the column wider or wrap the text (press Alt+Enter while typing) so all text shows.

Seller Price Shipping URL Edition Condition

d. (5 points) Use online textbook sellers to find 8 different copies of the textbook for sale (new, used or rental). Enter the data into the worksheet.

e. (2 points) Sort the rows of book information (records) in descending order by price.

f. (4 points) Use a function to calculate the Average for the Price and Shipping

g. (2 points) Use a function to calculate the Median for the Price

h. (4 points) Format the worksheet to look attractive.

Merge and center the title

Use appropriate number formats.

Add at least one border.

i. (4 points) A filter is used to display only those rows (records) that meet criteria you specify. Select the Price values. Click the Filter button in the Data tab of the Ribbon. Click the drop-down arrow that appears next to the first value. Click the Number Filters option in the menu. Click Below Average. In Excel 2003, go to the Data menu, Filter, Autofilter to find the filtering options (see http://www.edumax.com/excel-2003-filtering.html or use the Excel Help).

Save the workbook as Task13 (with the filter still applied). Upload the workbook to Tasks, Tests and Surveys.

Part 3 College Textbook Statistics Discussion 5 points

Write a short argument describing how you feel about college textbook prices in a paragraph.  Research the subject on the Internet and use at least one statistic from your research in your argument. Include the URL in parentheses after the statistic.

Some issues you might choose from:

Who/What is responsible for the high prices?

Are electronic (online) textbooks a good solution?

Are textbook rentals a good solution?

Should professors seek out low cost and free books?

Do bookstores mark up the books too much?

Is it the student's responsibility to shop early online and find their own good prices?

Go to the Task 13 College Textbook Statistics discussion and start a new topic.

Make a title for your argument in the subject.

The body of the message should contain your argument.

Read another student's argument and respond to it. Do not just say "Good job" or "I agree." Say why you agree or disagree or why you think their argument is good or bad.