Technical Writing and Simple Statistics : for laboratory classes / Stephanie G. Wettstein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wettstein, Stephanie G., author.

Series:

Open textbook library

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Biology--Textbooks.

Biology.

Chemistry--Textbooks.

Chemistry.

Mathematics--Textbooks.

Mathematics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (91 pages).

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] : TRAILS, 2022.

Summary:

This upper division resource focuses on how to communicate results through technical writing, use Excel to perform simple statistics, and create professional charts/documents. Excel tutorials are provided for performing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and linear regression as well as using text boxes, formatting figures and captions, and using Equation Editor to insert equations. Additionally, guidance and examples of different communication components are provided along with team writing strategies and guidelines on how to hold efficient meetings. This textbook was designed for Biology and Chemistry majors for a 400 level course.

Contents:

Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

Mean, Median, and Mode

Outliers

Standard Deviation

Sample Variance

Standard Error

Confidence Interval

Percent Error and Percent Difference

Excel Tutorial: Performing Descriptive Statistics Using Excel

Using Graphs to Display Data

Line Graphs

Bar Graphs

Box Plots

Error Bars

Charts

What Not to Do

Statistical Process Control Process Control Charts

Process Variation

Making the Process Control Chart

Example #1: Bullet Speeds All Data

Example #2: Bullet Speeds with Narrower Specifications

Linear Regression

Performing Linear Regression

Excel Tutorials: Performing Regression Analysis Using Excel

Method 1: Using Excel Formulas

Method 2: Using Excel Trendlines

Method 3: Using Excel Data Analysis

Example: Regression Analysis of Diameter Data

Statistical Comparison of Two Regressed Slopes

General Approach for Comparing Two Linearly Regressed Slopes

Analysis Steps

Example: Two Regressed Slopes that are Statistically Different

Example Analysis: Regression Slope Comparison

Example Two Regressed Slopes that are Not Statistically Different

t-Tests

Hypotheses

Sample Collection and Determining Alpha

Performing a t-test using Excel

Interpret the Data

References

Writing

The Writing Process

Team Writing Strategies

Meeting agendas and notes

Agenda

Notes

Communication Components

Abstract (or Summary)

Background/Introduction

Objective Statement

Theory

Methods

Apparatus (or Equipment)

Safety

Experimental Protocol, Design, and Analysis

Experimental Protocol

Experimental Design

Methods of Analysis

Data Collection

Results and Discussion

Conclusions and Recommendations

Sample Conclusion Paragraph

References: Citing the work of others

Citation Location

Numerical Formatting

Alphabetical Formatting

Reference list/Bibliography

Appendices

Appendix

Excel Tutorial: Using Equation Editor in Microsoft Word

Step 1: Insert an Equation Region

Step 2: Use Equation Tools Structures to Create Basic Equation Layout

Step 3: Fill in the placeholders to complete the equation

Cliff Notes/Shortcuts

Excel Tutorial: Using Text Boxes

Text Box Management: Three Examples

VERSION 1: Textboxes Near Text Description

VERSION 2: Textboxes at Bottom of Page

VERSION 3: No Textboxes

Excel Tutorial: Formatting Excel Charts for a Professional Look

Templates

Captions

Inserting Symbols in Captions.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.