W1, Assignment 1 - Mean Median Mode
For this assignment, see page 10 in the Lost Valley Distribution, Inc. case study.
Post your response to this forum and participate in a robust, student-led discussion.
? Due Day 3. Discussion through Day 7.
Key to success: When explaining statistical results to business colleagues -- the way you should do it here -- it is essential that you use language and examples that non-statisticians can understand. After all, 99.99% of us are not professional statisticians thank goodness. Your explanations, however, must be accurate,not whimsical interpretations that only distort and further add to confusion. Read your response aloud. If it sounds like gobbledygook, it is. Rewrite it until it makes sense. When you use complicated technical language, you only create more questions about the thing you're trying to explain (and about your competence) and it eliminates your ability to be persuasive -- and if you cannot persuade, you cannot lead.
? Click here for a slide show about this. (Links to an external site.)
- Screencast Solution Part 1 (Links to an external site.)
- Screencast Solution Part 2 (Links to an external site.)
- Excel Solution
- 4-Step Sequence of Information Evaluation: CEEC
- Strengthen Katzer skills
- The median in action. Important wage trend!
Here's a data presentation that caught my eye. Not only is it easy to decipher (as any data visualization should be), the information got my attention -- I'm having more good days than I thought! I hope you're having a good day too. --Doug
WEEK 1 - ASSIGNMENT 2 (20 POINTS) Systematic Error At Work
Resources
• Katzer, Chapters 1 and 2
Situation
Last session on central tendency, you mentioned that using the wrong measure of central tendency can misrepresent the data by biasing it, that is, by distorting it systematically. Based on your readings of Katzer, your plan for this session is to illustrate systematic error (bias) in action.
One thing you’re eager to show is that bias can be either negative (e.g., gender, age, or race bias) or positive (e.g., a bias for learning, fairness, rational thinking). Bias is not inherently negative as the common use of the word suggests. To illustrate this point, you draw on your own experiences in your current employment.
Challenge
The objective of this session is to make the team aware that the distortion of information or of behavior (positive or negative biases) is a constant that we must all account for.
When we account for bias in the information we review or in the behavioral practices of our organization, we see our world more accurately, with less distortion. The benefit? Better decisions as managers.
1. Explain to the LV team the single most unproductive source of bias in your business from Lost Valley Distribution, Inc.
Post your response to this forum and participate in a robust, student-led discussion.
? Due Day 6. Discussion through Day 7.
- Strengthen Katzer Skills
WEEK 1 - ASSIGNMENT 2 (20 POINTS) Systematic Error At Work
Resources
• Katzer, Chapters 1 and 2
Situation
Last session on central tendency, you mentioned that using the wrong measure of central tendency can misrepresent the data by biasing it, that is, by distorting it systematically. Based on your readings of Katzer, your plan for this session is to illustrate systematic error (bias) in action.
One thing you’re eager to show is that bias can be either negative (e.g., gender, age, or race bias) or positive (e.g., a bias for learning, fairness, rational thinking). Bias is not inherently negative as the common use of the word suggests. To illustrate this point, you draw on your own experiences in your current employment.
Challenge
The objective of this session is to make the team aware that the distortion of information or of behavior (positive or negative biases) is a constant that we must all account for.
When we account for bias in the information we review or in the behavioral practices of our organization, we see our world more accurately, with less distortion. The benefit? Better decisions as managers.
1. Explain to the LV team the single most unproductive source of bias in your business from Lost Valley Distribution, Inc. 12
your perspective? Is this negative bias in the information (reports, research) you review? or the behavioral practices of your organization? A bit of both perhaps?
- How does this negative bias distort reality and diminish productivity or other features?
- How does it affect your ability to influence the organization?
- Is there anything you can do about it? If so, what precisely?
- Is this negative bias shared by your colleagues or is it a personal view? If the latter, how have you adapted? What compromises have you considered (or made)?2. Similarly, what is the most influential positive bias shaping your organization?
- Does this positive bias always create positive benefits or can it also distort reality systematically and therefore diminish the usefulness of the decisions made that results from its influence?
- How do you harness this positive bias to influence the things you do and the people you interact with?
3. Anything else you’d like to add to help the team understand systematic error and it’s pervasive influence and the importance of identifying bias and accounting for it?
Lost Valley Distribution, Inc.
13
Biased naturally.
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Rating:
/5
Solution: W1, Assignment 1 - Mean Median Mode