Dr. Sarah's SAT Scores Lab adapted from a lab by Dr. Greg Rhoads

Dear Math 1010 students,
My name is Newbie Nevertookstats, and I just started a job as a reporter at USA Today. I was just been handed a data set containing SAT and GPA info for 200 juniors at a certain university and my boss wants me to write an article on this for the next issue. Unfortunately, I've never taken a stats course, so I need your help! My report is due in 1 week, so please help me by then!
Newbie Nevertookstats

From Dr. Sarah- Work in groups and turn in one report per group. Be sure to use the checklist as a guideline. You will turn in your report aimed at Newbie and will attach this sheet to it.

  • Open Word, and start a letter to the reporter. Include the fact that the directions for creating the Minitab and Excel graphs can be found on this sheet which you will enclose with the lab.
    SAVE OFTEN.
  • Under Apple, Math 1010 Apps, open Minitab 10.5
    Under File, release Open Worksheet. If necessary, use the double arrow to go to Places and then to Applications HD /Math 1010 Data/Minitab10 Data and scroll down and open grades.mtw

    Three Minitab Histograms

    Under Graph, release Histogram.... The X value under Graph 1 should be highlighted.
  • GPA HISTOGRAM
    Double click on GPA. Create a GPA histogram by using OK.
    Make the histogram smaller by clicking on the bottom right corner, and draging this up and to the left.
    Copy the GPA histogram by using Copy Graph under Edit.
    Paste the GPA histogram into your Word document by using Paste under Edit in Word
    Be careful about your placement of the graphs in Word. Do not attempt to move graphs around in word - hit return bunch of times before you paste a graph (you may wish to have one graph per page for now, and delete unwanted space after you have finished typing your report).
  • Repeat the GPA HISTOGRAM instructions to create and paste histograms for MATH and VERBAL into Word.

    Two Minitab Boxplots

    In Minitab, Under Window, Close All Graphs. Under Graph, release Boxplot.... The Y value under Graph 1 should be highlighted.
  • GPA Boxplot
    Double click on GPA. Create a GPA boxplot by using OK.
    Make the boxplot smaller by clicking on the bottom right corner, and draging this up and to the left.
    Copy the GPA boxplot by using Copy Graph under Edit.
    Paste the GPA boxplot into Word by using Paste under Edit in Word

  • VERBAL and MATH Boxplot Under Graph, release Boxplot.... Double click on VERBAL.
    Move to the Y value for Graph 2 and double click on MATH.
    Under Frame, release Multiple Graphs... Choose Overlay graphs on the same page and then OK
    Under Edit Attributes..., for Graph 1, choose Fill Type Right Slant. For Graph 2, choose Fill Type Dots. Choose OK.
    Create one boxplot for both VERBAL and MATH by using OK.
    Make the boxplot smaller by clicking on the bottom right corner, and draging this up and to the left.
    Copy the VERBAL and MATH boxplot by using Copy Graph under Edit.
    Paste the VERBAL and MATH boxplot into Word by using Paste under Edit in Word

    Three Excel Linear Regression Plots

    Under File, Release on Quit to Quit Minitab.
    Open up Excel. Under File release on Open. If necessary, go to Places/Applications HD/Math1010 Data/Excel Data. Then scroll down and open grades.excel
    Use directions from the predictor part of last week's lab to create graphs to answer the following questions:
  • Is VERBAL SAT score a good predictor of college GPA?
  • Is MATH SAT score a good predictor of college GPA?
  • Is VERBAL SAT score a good predictor of MATH SAT score?
    Once you have added the equation and R^2 value to a graph, click on it and hold down to move it to the right to blank space, so that it is readable. Then copy and paste your graphs into Word.

    Explanations and Questions to Answer in Your Report.

  • Histograms Explain to Newbie about each histogram, and explain in depth what kind of info he can read off - give some specific examples.
  • Boxplots Explain to Newbie about each boxplot, and explain in depth what kind of info he can read off - give some specific examples. Some answers to include for EACH GRAPH:
  • Between what grades or scores were...
    the highest 25%?
    the middle 50%? (ie those students not in the highest or lowest 25%)
    the lowest 25%?
  • What do the stars mean?
  • Look to see if the median is closer to the 1st quartile than to the 3rd quartile, if the median is closer to the 3rd quartile than to the 1st quartile, or if the median is equidistant. What does this mean (in words about GPA, VERBAL or MATH)?
  • Predictors Explain in depth to Newbie about each predictor graph, and how he can use the graphs to answer the predictor questions.