When mathematics and statistics collide in assessment tasks

Because the disciplines of mathematics and statistics are naturally intertwined, designing assessment questions that disentangle mathematical and statistical reasoning can be challenging. We explore the writing statistics assessment tasks that take into consideration potential mathematical reasoning they may inadvertently activate.     

Collecting Data on Train Performance

This article illustrates many of the problems of defining and obtaining a ‘representative’ sample in the context of a real‐life survey of train performance.     

A study on sampling strategies in the figure cognitive process

This study was aimed at investigating the sampling strategies for 2 types of figures: 3-D cubes and human faces. The research was focused on: (a) from where the sampling process started; (b) in what order the figures' features were sampled. The study consisted of 2 experiments: (a) sampling strategies for 3-D cubes; (b) sampling strategies for human faces. The results showed that: (a), for 3-D cubes, the first sampling was mostly located at the outline parts, rarely at the center part; while for human faces, the first sampling was mostly located at the hair and outline parts, rarely at the mouth or cheek parts, in most cases, the first sampling-position had no significant effects on cognitive performance and that (b), the sampling order, both for 3-D cubes and for human faces, was determined by the degree of difference among the sampled-features.     

Sampling period determination for heart rate logging under an exercise regimen

Abstract

Using a mathematical procedure, we determine appropriate sampling rates for logging heart rate, at a variety of exercise intensities. The mathematical procedure involves correlating exercise and heart rate data to determine a dynamical mathematical model, from which the frequency response of the relationship between exercise intensity and heart rate can be determined. The sampling rate is then straightforwardly deduced by making appropriate measurements on the frequency response curve. We show how careful consideration needs to be given to the choice of dynamical model structure and the work regimen, so that consistent and convincing conclusions can be drawn. We demonstrate that the dynamics of the work-rate/heart-rate system are dependent on the nominal work/heart rate, but a 5-s sampling period, as used in many commercial heart rate monitors, appears to be adequate, especially when some averaging is performed before logging.     

抽样调查技术在图书情报领域的应用现状分析

针对抽样调查技术在图书情报领域的应用不规范,从而导致调查结果的可靠性和精确度没有保证问题,本文对图书情报领域的17种代表性期刊近10年(2000-2010年)的文献进行检索,得知图书情报领域中涉及抽样调查技术的文献179篇。选定其中20篇有代表性的文献进行分析,总结出抽样调查技术的应用现状及存在问题,并给出了科学调查应遵循的操作步骤。     

CLASSROOM NOTE: A Roll of the Dice: Illustrating the Central Limit Theorem

The sampling (probability) distribution for the sum of dice is presented graphically as a compelling demonstration of the Central Limit Theorem.     

中文图书采访书目比较分析

本文采用抽样调查方法,对新华书目报(社科版与科技版)、CIP数据、全国新书目和出版社自编书目等国内主要中文图书采访书目,从书目可供性、预告率、图书预告征订的实际可供时间跨度、著录字段、著录格式(排版显示格式)、采集成本等方面进行比较分析,为落实《图书馆采访工作规范》中的“选择出最适合于本馆使用的书目”提供借鉴。     

Simulating Sampling Distributions

This article shows how simulation can be used to teach sampling distributions to entry level statistics students.