Technical Writing and Simple Statistics : for laboratory classes

1. Statistics
   1. Descriptive Statistics
      1. Mean, Median, and Mode
      2. Outliers
      3. Standard Deviation
      4. Sample Variance
      5. Standard Error
      6. Confidence Interval
      7. Percent Error and Percent Difference
      8. Excel Tutorial: Performing Descriptive Statistics Using Excel
   2. Using Graphs to Display Data
      1. Line Graphs
      2. Bar Graphs
      3. Box Plots
      4. Error Bars
      5. Charts – What Not to Do
   3. Statistical Process Control & Process Control Charts
      1. Process Variation
      2. Making the Process Control Chart
      3. Example #1: Bullet Speeds All Data
      4. Example #2: Bullet Speeds with Narrower Specifications
   4. Linear Regression
      1. Performing Linear Regression
      2. Excel Tutorials: Performing Regression Analysis Using Excel
         1. Method 1: Using Excel Formulas
         2. Method 2: Using Excel Trendlines
         3. Method 3: Using Excel Data Analysis
      3. Example: Regression Analysis of Diameter Data
   5. Statistical Comparison of Two Regressed Slopes
      1. General Approach for Comparing Two Linearly Regressed Slopes
      2. Analysis Steps
      3. Example: Two Regressed Slopes that are Statistically Different
      4. Example Analysis: Regression Slope Comparison
      5. Example Two Regressed Slopes that are Not Statistically Different
   6. t-Tests
      1. Hypotheses
      2. Sample Collection and Determining Alpha
      3. Performing a t-test using Excel
      4. Interpret the Data
      5. References
2. Writing
   1. The Writing Process
   2. Team Writing Strategies
   3. Meeting agendas and notes
      1. Agenda
      2. Notes
   4. Communication Components
      1. Abstract (or Summary)
      2. Background/Introduction
      3. Objective Statement
      4. Theory
      5. Methods
      6. Apparatus (or Equipment)
      7. Safety
      8. Experimental Protocol, Design, and Analysis
         1. Experimental Protocol
         2. Experimental Design
         3. Methods of Analysis
      9. Data Collection
      10. Results and Discussion
      11. Conclusions and Recommendations
      12. Sample Conclusion Paragraph
      13. References: Citing the work of others
      14. Citation Location
      15. Numerical Formatting
      16. Alphabetical Formatting
      17. Reference list/Bibliography
      18. Appendices
3. Appendix
   1. Excel Tutorial: Using Equation Editor in Microsoft Word
   2. Step 1: Insert an Equation Region
   3. Step 2: Use Equation Tools Structures to Create Basic Equation Layout
   4. Step 3: Fill in the placeholders to complete the equation
   5. Cliff Notes/Shortcuts
   6. Excel Tutorial: Using Text Boxes
   7. Text Box Management: Three Examples
      1. VERSION 1: Textboxes Near Text Description
      2. VERSION 2: Textboxes at Bottom of Page
      3. VERSION 3: No Textboxes
   8. Excel Tutorial: Formatting Excel Charts for a Professional Look
4. Templates
   1. Captions
   2. Inserting Symbols in Captions

This upper division resource focuses on how to communicate results through technical writing, use Excel to perform simple statistics, and create professional charts/documents. Excel tutorials are provided for performing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and linear regression as well as using text boxes, formatting figures and captions, and using Equation Editor to insert equations. Additionally, guidance and examples of different communication components are provided along with team writing strategies and guidelines on how to hold efficient meetings.

This textbook was designed for Biology and Chemistry majors for a 400 level course.