Statistics I: Psych 240 Syllabus

Statistics II: Psych 341 Syllabus

Experimental Design: Psych 441 Syllabus

Multivariate Analysis: Psych 444 Syllabus

A colleague of mine once commented on a symbolic expression he had written on the board, "Summation X sub i, i=1 to N and the DEVIL is loose." My experience with writing this same expression on the board in an introductory course has been that students roll their eyes, the earth suddenly quakes and the instructor is perceived as morphing into a beast with long horns and alien-like skin. Although unwarranted, this is a typical reaction by an undergraduate student in beginning statistics. The word "statistics" strikes fear in the heart of even the boldest of souls. One of my prime objectives in teaching any statistics course is to dispel this evil notion that statistics should be avoided like the plague. Yes, Dorothy, statistics can even be fun and believe it or not, can be a useful tool for you and your little dog Toto.

I view the whole of statistics as a few reoccuring themes. Yes, there are probably no more than a handful of rather simple concepts that pop up over and over again in all courses. Master them and you have unlocked the keys to the magic kingdom! The first of these is called the WFTSM (not much of an acronym is it?). This stands for the World Famous Three Step Method and is a nifty little device for computing the standard deviation without pain or tears. The second theme is referred to as the RFFSM (an even worse acronym). This stands for the Regionally Famous Five Step Method and is a magnificent foolproof method for testing any statistical hypothesis that you can imagine. These are the TOP TWO themes. I don't want to give all my secrets away in one paragraph. Then there would be no need to take any statistics courses.

Above everything else, RELAX, KEEP AN OPEN MIND, AND LAUGH AT YOURSELF AND THE SUBJECT. Elmer Lemke, a good friend and colleague of mine once said,"You won't have fun unless you make fun!" Practice this and learning statistics will become an enjoyable and valuable experience.

For some great humor in the field of statistics, please visit The First Internet Gallery of Statistics Jokes. This was created in October of 1997 for all the readers of my home page to enjoy. The purpose of this subpage is to serve as a repository for any bit or byte of statistical humor that has been or will be discovered. The site has experienced growth every month but we truly need your help. Visit the site often and let me know what you think. You can use my GUESTBOOK or EMAIL. Remember the comprehensiveness and ultimate success of this gallery depends on the contributions of YOU the reader. This will be an ongoing project, so keep me in mind whenever you encounter those rare gems of levity.

For more statistical fun visit my Archives of Statistics Fun. This contains teaching and study tips, anecdotes, and fun experiments that originally appeared on this page and will be the future home of new fun topics that I plan to create.

Many people feel that statistics is a cut and dried subject. To show that statisticians do have their differences (No pun intended) and controversies a new bi-monthly column called Sticky Stat Wickets was born in late 2007 and appears at the end of the Gallery. This also is a good place for beginning students to pick up a lot of helpful tips on basic statistics.

Finally, for some inexplicable reason, statisticians must have been shoe salespersons in a former life. In case you haven't noticed, statisticians stare down at their shoes a lot and admire their cordovan wing-tip oxfords or their Birkenstocks. Whether it is just shyness, imppecable tastes in footware, or just a plain old foot fetish, statisticians love their shoes. For your own amusement, test your shoemanship skill by taking the New and Improved Expert Shoe Salesperson Quiz and then see how you stack up!

The Teaching of Statistics

Unique Applications of Analysis of Variance

Monte Carlo Studies of the Assumptions of Statistical Tests

The Mathematical and Statistical Aspects of ESP Studies

The Use of Separate Answer Sheets by Primary Aged Children

The IIIinois State Redbird Basketball Team
Redbird Athletics

The St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Team
Cardinals Home Page and
SportingNews

• Baseball Card Collector
• Avid Collector of Iowa Homecoming Badges
• Surfing the Internet on my Macintosh computers
• Recognized IHSA High School Baseball Umpire
• Fishing In Canada and the US
• Searching for Humor in Statistics
• Downloading music from iTunes and CDs to my iPods

• For a Great Introductory Online Statistics Book by David M. Lane Hyperstat Online
• For All University of Iowa Alumni Homesick for The Iowa Fight Song and The Old Capitol University of Iowa Alumni Association
• For the Latest Sports News and Scores ESPN
• Iowa Hawkeye Sports News StoriesThe Press Citizen
• Latest Breaking News for the Mac Enthusiast MacInTouch Home Page
• What are Your Sports Cards Worth? Beckett Online
• Do You Want to Listen to Live AM Radio Broadcasts On Your Computer From Around the USA While Doing a Spreadsheet? RealAudio

One Last Spectacular Picture of a Flying Saucer About to Launch from a Site In Normal, Illinois.

No, Just Kidding! It is Redbird Arena at Night!!!

Please take a few moments to tell us something about you by registering in our Guestbook. Not only will SPOHIS (Society for the Preservation Of Humor In Statistics) be eternally grateful to you but you will have an opportunity to vent your feelings about what you like or dislike about this home page. You may even know a statistics joke or two that you want to relate to us. Register Now! Click on Guestbook

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Page last updated 5 SEPTEMBER 2008.
Email comments to gcramsey@ilstu.edu