Category: Statistics

PSYC 354 PROBABILITY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW This assignment is design

PSYC 354
PROBABILITY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This assignment is design

PSYC 354
PROBABILITY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This assignment is designed to increase your understanding and proficiency in conceptualizing
and computing the probability of simple events as well as the probability of certain outcomes
using the z score and the normal distribution. A working knowledge of these concepts, along
with what you will learn next week, will help you make the important transition from working
with descriptive statistics to working with inferential statistics. Inferential statistics form the
backbone of social science research, and having a solid understanding is essential to conducting,
interpreting, and applying research in your chosen field.
INSTRUCTIONS
 To access the homework problems for this assignment, please download the Probability
Template document linked on the Probability Assignment page.
 This assignment includes several problem sets related to probability and the proportion of
scores under the normal curve related to specific z scores.
 For each scenario, you will compute your answer using a calculator or pencil and paper.
Typewritten answers into the document in the specified answer spaces. Please keep the
red font formatting for answers and show work when directed to do so. You may type
your work, use a stylus/e-pen, or write it by hand and scan the results into a finished
document. Be sure all work is legible.
Please review the Demonstration Video: Finding Proportions and Percentile Ranks, as well
as Chapter 6 in your textbook, for procedures related to solving these problems

By now you are adept at calculating averages and intuitively can estimate whethe

By now you are adept at calculating averages and intuitively can estimate whethe

By now you are adept at calculating averages and intuitively can estimate whether something is “normal” (a measurement not too far from average) or unusual (pretty far from the average you might expect). This class helps to quantify exactly how far something you measure is from average using the normal distribution. Basically, you mark the mean down the middle of the bell curve, calculate the standard deviation of your sample, and then add (or subtract) that value to come up with the mile markers (z-scores) that measure the distance from the mean.
For example, if the average height of adult males in the United States is 69 inches with a standard deviation of 3 inches, we could create the graph below.
Men who are somewhere between 63 and 75 inches tall would be considered of a fairly normal height. Men shorter than 63 inches or taller than 75 inches would be considered unusual (assuming our sample data represents the actual population). You could use a z-score to look up exactly what percentage of men are shorter than (or taller than) a particular height.
Think of something in your work or personal life that you measure regularly. (No actual calculation of the mean, standard deviation, or z-scores is necessary.) What value is “average”? What values would you consider to be unusually high or unusually low? If a value were unusually high or low—how would it change your response to the measurement? This serves as your initial post to the discussion and is due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Review the responses provided by the other members of the class. Make at least one substantive peer reply post by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday.