Four-Step Problem Solving
Throughout, the book follows the four-component model for statistical problem solving recommended by the American Statistical Association: Formulate Questions, Collect Data, Analyze Data, and Interpret Results. Important skills are added as needed as each new chapter builds upon previous chapters.
Examples
Chapters begin with a longer example introducing necessary skills. Subsequent examples might introduce technology or the principles of experimental design. Other examples in problem/solution format give students a sense of what complete answers should look like.
Call out Boxes
Throughout the chapters, these callouts define sports terms, explain key concepts and review of concepts introduced in previous chapters.
Cautions
Students are regularly alerted to common misunderstandings, such as confusing an association with a cause-and-effect relationship, and other potential concerns such as the influence of outliers.
Connections: Looking Forward…Looking Back
At the end of each chapter, a short feature points out connections to material in previous units as well as previewing related material in future chapters.
Think About It
Boxes in each chapter dig a little deeper into a statistical concept with applications in sports.
Stats 101: A More Traditional Approach
These sections introduce students to the vocabulary and methods that might be used in a more traditional class.
For Practice
These homework exercises are paired to give students more than one chance to see a particular type of problem.
For Investigation
This section contains several suggestions for mini-projects that students can conduct to investigate their favorite athlete or team.
Technology
The text features the TI-84 graphing calculator and applets throughout. Technology appendices, available on the book’s website, include instructions for importing data and how to use Fathom and Excel. Finally, applets are available at the book’s website which automate the simulations used in the randomization tests.