Assignment 2
Miller Text
1. In your own words explain the difference between writing for a statistical audience versus writing for a non-statistical
audience. (Chapter 1)
2. (Fill in the Blank) Three basic ways of communicating quantitative information are (Chapter 1)
3. According to the Miller text what are The Ws? Why are they important? (Chapter 2)
4. What is meant by the unit of measurement? (Chapter 2)
5. Explain the importance of contrast and comparison when using examples. (Chapter 2)
6. In your own words explain the importance of defining the terms in quantitative writing. (Chapter 2)
7. (Fill in the Blank) In addition to providing your readers with the raw numbers it is also important to
.them. (Chapter 2)
8. Explain the importance of summarizing when you are answering questions quantitatively or communicating quantitative
information. (Chapter 2)
9. (Fill in the Blank) When communicating about the relationship between two or more variables it is important to report both
the
and the
(Chapter 2)
10. What does it mean to generalize when describing a relationship? (Chapter 2)
11. What is a continuous variable? Provide an example of when it is appropriate to use a continuous variable. (Chapter 4)
12. What is a categorical variable? Provide an example of when it is appropriate to use a categorical variable. (Chapter 4)
13. Provide four examples of a unit of analysis for level of income. (Chapter 4)
14. Explain the importance of using the correct scale when reporting measurements. (Chapter 4)
15. What is the difference between a simple ratio and a proportion? (Chapter 4)
16. Look at the poor, better, and best examples on pages 57 and 58. Why is the better example better? Why is the best
example the best? Provide specific examples when comparing the examples. (Chapter 4)
17. What is a standard? Why should we use standards? When should we use standards? (Chapter 4)
18. List 5 ways to compare numeric values. (Chapter 8)
19. (Fill in the Blank) When choosing reference values in calculations within a specific field or discipline it is best to use
(Chapter 8, page 173)
20. What is a ratio? What is a rate? How are rates and ratios different? (Chapter 8)
21. Explain how the Percentage Difference is calculated. (Chapter 8)
22. Explain how Percentage Change is calculated. (Chapter 8)
Assignment 2 Key
1. Pages 2-3
2. Bottom of page 5
3. Page 13
4. Page 15 under Units
5. Page 16 objectives of examples
6. Page 20-25 (Mainly page 20)
7. Page 26 section Why Report the Raw Numbers, first sentence
8. Page 29
9. Page 27 middle section
10. Page 30
11. Page 50
12. Pages 50-51
13. Page 54
14. Page 55
15. Page 57
16. In the poor example there is not specificity regarding the variable. There is no way to know the
actual number of people who voted. In the better example a basis of comparison was provided but not a
comparison to which the whole voting age population could be compared. In the best example the total
number of registered voters is reported and the total number voting age population with percentages
corresponding to each group so that comparison can be made on both levels.
17. Page 65-67
18. Page 174 second paragraph
19. the conventions or standards commonly applied with that field or discipline
20. Page 180-182
21. Page 182-184
22. Page 182-184
