BUS 1280 – 01 Introduction to Statistics

Unit 3 Learning Journal

University of the People
2nd, February 2022

1. Learning Journal Reflective Comments

3/2/2022 I reviewed last week study topic and went in-depth into the topic with the help of
YouTube tutorials.
  I downloaded a dataset from Kaggle and used it to practice a few concepts such as
calculation of frequencies and plotting of histogram and other graphs.
  I completed my discussion post for this unit and posted it to the discussion forum.
  I took an hour-long coding challenge.
4/2/2022 I reviewed the study objectives for the week and then designed a timetable specifically
to help me prepare for the graded quizzes, I then completed my course objective for
the week (including variance, standard deviation, and so on) to enable me prepare for
the graded quizzes.
  I reviewed the peers' posts in the discussion forum, rated them, and gave feedback.

  I took the whole day studying and revising for my graded quizzes for all the four
courses that I am taking.
6/2/2022 I did my unit 3 graded quizzes and scored 100%. It was a good experience because I
was able apply the concepts from my studies to tackle the most challenging parts of
the assignment. I did not take any other learning activities on this course as I had three
other courses to take their graded quizzes
7/2/2022
I assessed other peers Written Assignment and later undertook my 1 hour daily
challenge in R programming.
17/2/2022 I completed my unit 3 learning journal.
  I too an hour coding practice

I never experienced any challenges or events that could have hindered my studies during the
week. I was also able to plan and do all my assignments on time. I also did my graded quizzes,
on which I performed very well and am motivated to continue working hard.
 2. Vocabulary and R functions
a) Enter the following command in R to read a simple help page about the
length() command:
 ?length

What does the length function tell you? The length function tells when I reset length
as an integer or factor and what I get. In other word, it helps in setting or getting the length
of factors and vectors (which includes lists) and other R objects in which a method has been
defined and returns the number of elements in the object (Becker et al., 1988).

It may be used in resetting an object as in length (l) -value, such that if the object length is
shortened, the extra values will be discarded. On the other hand, extra values will be added in the
case of an extension of the object length such that it returns the length of the inputted sequence.
This function makes working to get the length or count of data easier.

b) Read section 3.4 about Measures of the Spread of Data.  In your own words,
give a rough description of what variance is (we will go into more detail in the
next few weeks).  Include an APA citation

Variance is one of the most widely accepted methods for measuring the spread of data in a
sequence, and it estimates how far a random (set of) numbers are spread out from their mean
value (Yakir, 2011).

3. Estimate how many hours you spent on this class in the past week, then list
the days and times when you will spend an extra 3 hours to study during
week 4 and beyond.  Units 4 and beyond often require more study than the
first few weeks did, but if you prepare your schedule, you can improve your
chance of success.

I spent over ten hours on the class this week, which I attribute to the need for revision for the unit
3 graded quizzes. Upon checking the study objectives for week 4, below is a table that shows
how my schedule will adjust.
Reference

Benjamin Yakir (2011, March). Introduction to Statistical Thinking (With R, Without Calculus). The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Becker, R. A., Chambers, J. M. and Wilks, A. R. (1988) The New S Language.

Wadsworth & Brooks/Cole.