An International Journal for Teachers

What is the International Statistical Institute p34  Anne Hawkins
This is the second in a series of short articles briefly describing the organisations that sponsor Teaching Statistics. The series continues with The International Statistical Institute.

The Bioss Challenge p36 Trevor S Smart
A sampling problem is described which was given to the general public to illustrate the problems of bias and the need for randomisation when sampling..

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Reflections on Pat Moran and the Australian Statistical Scene p 39  Joe Gani
A sketch of the development of statistics in Australia is followed by a brief biography of one of the most important pioneers, Pat Moran
 
Who's the winner? An exercise in measurement. p. 42   Kathleen M Shannon & William S Weber
Issues of measurement are fundamental in statistics but often overlooked in elementary courses. This interactive exercise encourages students to think critically about how things are measured.

COMPUTING CORNER
The graphics calculator as a teaching aid in statistics p 45 Gillian Iossif.
This article explores some ideas for the imaginative use of a graphics calculator in introductory statistics teaching.

Where do you stand? Notions of the statistical 'centre'.  p. 49  James A Hanley & Abby Lippman
We present a simple problem that can help highlight the decision theoretic properties of various centrality measures. We also illustrate how the 'centrality' parameters of the classical distributions in statistics would have to be modified if we were constrained to fewer defining principles.

Overlap Probabilities and Delay Detonators p. 52 Neil T Diamond
A problem in mining engineering concerning detonators for rock blasting is considered. Simple probability calculations give very useful information about the detonation sequence.

The 'Ys' and 'Why Nots' of Line of Best Fit p. 54  Larry Lesser
Criteria for line of best fit have accessible motivation.

NET BENEFITS
An analysis of the Teaching Statistics Mailbase List p. 56  David Green & Mike Fuller
This article describes and analyses the membership and uses of the Teaching-Statistics Mailbase list, based on a review of all messages since its inception and a recent questionnaire sent to all list members.

DATA BANK
Rendezvous of the Poisson and Exponential Distributions at the World Cup of Soccer p. 60 Singfat Chu-Chun-Lin
Data from the World Cup provide excellent illustrations of Poisson and exponential distributions.

BOOK REVIEWS
Exploring Statistics with the TI-83 by Brendan Kelyn  p.63
Reviewed by Alan Graham

Computational Statistics and Statistical Education. Proceedings of the Tartu Conference by Ene-Margit Tiit  p. 32
Reviewed by Neville Hunt

 IASE Matters (centre fold)

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Please email: alison.davies2@ntu.ac.uk with any comments or corrections.

© The Teaching Statistics Trust 2006. The Teaching Statistics Trust is a registered charity.
ISSN 0141-982X (Print) ISSN 1467-9639 (Online)