FAQ:

I will be updating this FAQ page as the class progresses with common questions I receive from students. I recommend that you check this page when you have a question to see if it has already been answered. If not, send me an email, and if the answer to your question might benefit the whole class I'll post it here as well. Note that references are to the OpenIntro Statistics, Second Edition. Click on the question to reveal the answer.

If you have a question about something in the textbook that looks like it might be a typo or doesn't make sense, first check to see if it's been corrected already on the textbook errata. If not, send me an email about it so that I can confirm whether it's a typo or not, and if it is, it'll be added to the list.

Conceptual

  1. What is the difference between an explanatory and response variable?
  2. What exactly is a confounding variable?
  3. What exactly is the difference between stratified sampling and cluster sampling?
  4. What is meant by a ``typical" observation?
  5. If a distribution is extremely skewed or has extreme outliers should we use the standard deviation to describe the variability since it will take into account these extreme observations as well?

R related

  1. My lab report gives an error when I click on KnitHTML and it doesn't compile OR it does, however my code, plots, output do not show up in the compiled document. What is going on?
  2. If I have counts for categorical data in a table form how do I recreate the data in R?
  3. My dataset is in a .csv file on my computer. How can I get it into RStudio?
  4. Where can I find a list of R commands we've learned so far?
  5. How can I export my .Rmd file so that I can submit it on Sakai?
  6. How can I take a random sample of cases from my dataset?
  7. How can I make a plot visualizing the relationships between all of the variables in my dataset?
  8. How can I calculate confidence intervals for the slopes in linear regression using R?
  9. How can I add a table to my report produced using knitr?
  10. How can I change the size of R code printed in my knitr document?

General

  1. Will tables be provided with the exams, or should we incorporate them into our cheat sheets?
  2. Can the cheat sheets be typed?
  3. Can I type up my problem set? Do I have to type up my problem set?
  4. I forgot my clicker today, can I write my responses on a piece of paper and get credit?
  5. I have a class on East Campus before this class and I might be late to class. Will this affect my grade?
  6. Is the final cumulative?