How this text fits into the curriculum
We recommend the following tracks for a three-credit-hour, semester-long course using Data
Analysis Through Modeling:
- For students not having a prior statistics course: Chapters 1-9, 11-12 [11 chapters].
This course would not contain calculus and would be the first in either a two- or three
semester sequence: 1) data analysis and statistics or 2) data analysis, statistics, and
calculus. In our experience, students then do quite well in the follow-up statistics course
after their experience with our approach to data analysis.
- With a statistics prerequisite: Chapters 1-3, 7-9, 11-17 [12 chapters]. This course would
contain calculus and constitute the second course in a two-semester sequence containing
probability and hypothesis testing, data analysis, and calculus.
The basic concepts of calculus are emphasized and applied to business problems involving
marginal analysis, optimization and area under a curve. As recommended by CRAFTY, formal
techniques of symbolic manipulation are kept to a minimum, whereas spreadsheets are used
extensively not only for finding numerical solutions but, equally important, for the development of
the basic concepts of calculus themselves.