Content Available Mon Midnight before Week 4 starts

Short Policy Description: Initial response(175-250 words no more than 300) due on Thursday. Accepted until Sunday with no late deduction. One attempt. No editing. All messages on one day incur a ten-point deduction. Two replies (25-50 words) are due by Monday 11:59 pm.No points for a Monday initial response unless notified of an extenuating situation. Friendly reminders will be sent out on Sunday morning for non-participants.

Please see the detailed Participation Policies and FAQs on theCourse Questions? Resources Here

Welcome to Week 4Discussion

This week, we're stepping into the practical world of statistics as a scientific process, transcending mere numbers or 'sports stats.' It's an opportunity to realize that statistics is more than just raw data - it's about unveiling the narratives concealed within.

Media often presents us with 'stories,' and we rely on the presence of solid evidence behind them. Media stories can influence and impact us, so we must exercise discretion when 'buying into' these narratives. The discussion prompt invites us to take a higher-level perspective, where we regard statistics as a valuable science. Here, we learn to validate claims before implementing them to enable us to think differently and to make strategic changes.

Pleaseread/understand/connect ideas inthe introduction to each section of zyBook.

• Discussion Prompt:As needed, please check the help available on theCourse Questions? Resources Page, and then respond to the following questions in a minimum of 175 and no more than 300 words.

1. What is a sample and what is a population in statistical language as per zyBook? Explain & give an example of each. ( See Section 4.4 Participation Activities)
2. A statistical claim is a statement about the population based on a sample. We use the word "claim" in day-to-day life. Give anexample of a non-statistical claimfrom your first-hand life experience.
3. We hear of polls mainly during election times. Pew Research Center is one statistical research organization that conducts polls on diverse topics, not only during the election seasons. Please visit theResearch Topicswebpagepick a topic and drill down till you find an interesting claim. State the claim of your interest and give thein-text citation and reference in APA format.Why does this interest you? How can you use this? If you are not sure how to generate citations and references, please use thecitation generatorat UOP's Center for Writing Excellence.
4. Would you trust the claim just because some big research organization like Pew Research Center is making the claim? (Yes/No) No matter whether you choose to believe the claim, what are thestatistical questions we should askto decide the trustworthiness of the claim as per the zyBook inSection 4.4? It is not about our opinion/curiosity to get a better understanding of the context.