
Technical Writing and Simple Statistics : for laboratory classes
Stephanie G. Wettstein, Montana State University
Copyright Year: 2022
Publisher: TRAILS
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution-NonCommercial
CC BY-NC
Reviews





The Technical Writing and Simple Statistics: for Laboratory Classes(Wettstein) is practical yet comprehensive Lab Manuel for science labs with any data analysis. It covers the principles and examples for basic statistics using Excel which most of... read more
The Technical Writing and Simple Statistics: for Laboratory Classes(Wettstein) is practical yet comprehensive Lab Manuel for science labs with any data analysis. It covers the principles and examples for basic statistics using Excel which most of the students have the access to.
This lab manual is described in clear, accurate and easy way for readers to grasp the contents.
Excel is common and easy one to use for basic statistics. Yet, lots of students have the access to Excel but they do not know how to use it for data analysis. So this book is very good source for students using in the lab. I would like to recommend it in our students who work in the labs.
This book explains the basic statistics for the lab very clearly and easy to understand especially with the examples. I like all the figures and tables in this book.
All the terms are consistent through the book.
Clear divided into small sections with bold font title.
The text is organized in logical pattern and developed step by step for readers to grasp the concepts.
It is easy to read. The space between lines is little small.
Good English written.
No culturally insensitive at all.
For the p15, it would be nicer to add more graph types such as Pie chart which is very popular in peer reviewed publications.
Table of Contents
- Statistics
- Descriptive Statistics
- Mean, Median, and Mode
- Outliers
- Standard Deviation
- Sample Variance
- Standard Error
- Confidence Interval
- Percent Error and Percent Difference
- Excel Tutorial: Performing Descriptive Statistics Using Excel
- Using Graphs to Display Data
- Line Graphs
- Bar Graphs
- Box Plots
- Error Bars
- Charts – What Not to Do
- Statistical Process Control & Process Control Charts
- Process Variation
- Making the Process Control Chart
- Example #1: Bullet Speeds All Data
- Example #2: Bullet Speeds with Narrower Specifications
- Linear Regression
- Performing Linear Regression
- Excel Tutorials: Performing Regression Analysis Using Excel
- Method 1: Using Excel Formulas
- Method 2: Using Excel Trendlines
- Method 3: Using Excel Data Analysis
- Example: Regression Analysis of Diameter Data
- Statistical Comparison of Two Regressed Slopes
- General Approach for Comparing Two Linearly Regressed Slopes
- Analysis Steps
- Example: Two Regressed Slopes that are Statistically Different
- Example Analysis: Regression Slope Comparison
- Example Two Regressed Slopes that are Not Statistically Different
- t-Tests
- Hypotheses
- Sample Collection and Determining Alpha
- Performing a t-test using Excel
- Interpret the Data
- References
- Descriptive Statistics
- Writing
- The Writing Process
- Team Writing Strategies
- Meeting agendas and notes
- Agenda
- Notes
- Communication Components
- Abstract (or Summary)
- Background/Introduction
- Objective Statement
- Theory
- Methods
- Apparatus (or Equipment)
- Safety
- Experimental Protocol, Design, and Analysis
- Experimental Protocol
- Experimental Design
- Methods of Analysis
- Data Collection
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusions and Recommendations
- Sample Conclusion Paragraph
- References: Citing the work of others
- Citation Location
- Numerical Formatting
- Alphabetical Formatting
- Reference list/Bibliography
- Appendices
- Appendix
- Excel Tutorial: Using Equation Editor in Microsoft Word
- Step 1: Insert an Equation Region
- Step 2: Use Equation Tools Structures to Create Basic Equation Layout
- Step 3: Fill in the placeholders to complete the equation
- Cliff Notes/Shortcuts
- Excel Tutorial: Using Text Boxes
- Text Box Management: Three Examples
- VERSION 1: Textboxes Near Text Description
- VERSION 2: Textboxes at Bottom of Page
- VERSION 3: No Textboxes
- Excel Tutorial: Formatting Excel Charts for a Professional Look
- Templates
- Captions
- Inserting Symbols in Captions
Ancillary Material
About the Book
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.
About the Contributors
Author
Stephanie G. Wettstein, Montana State University