STAT200: Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Analysis Plan - Template Page 1 of 3 University of Maryland University College STAT200 - Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan Identifying Information Student (Full Name): Class: Instructor: Date: Scenario: Please write a few lines describing your scenario and the four variables (in addition to income) you have selected. Use Table 1 to report the variables selected for this assignment. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables. Table 1. Variables Selected for the Analysis Variable Name in the Data Set Description (See the data dictionary for describing the variables.) Type of Variable (Qualitative or Quantitative) Variable 1: “Income” Annual household income in USD. Quantitative Variable 2: Variable 3: Variable 4: Variable 5: Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected Outcome(s): Variable 1: “Income” - Variable 2: “ “ - Variable 3: “ “ - Variable 4: “ “ - Variable 5: “ “ - Data Set Description: Proposed Data Analysis: Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables. Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables Variable Name Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion Rationale for Why Appropriate Variable 1: “Income” Number of ObservationsMedianSample Standard Deviation I am using median for two reasons:If there are any outliers or the data is not normally distributed, the median is the best measure of central tendency.The variable is quantitative. I am using sample standard deviation for three reasons:The data is a sample from a larger data set.It is the most commonly used measure of dispersion.The variable is quantitative. Variable 2: Variable 3: Variable 4: Variable 5: Graphs and/or Tables Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Table for Selected Variables and briefly explain why you choose those graphs and/or tables. Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a guide for completing information on the remaining variables. Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables Variable Name Graph and/or Table Rationale for why Appropriate? Variable 1: “Income” Graph: I will use the histogram to show the normal distribution of data. Histogram is one of the best plot to show the normal distribution of quantitative level data . Variable 2: Variable 3: Variable 4: Variable 5: STAT200: Written Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan - Instructions Page 1 of 4 STAT200 Introduction to Statistics Assig.

1. STAT200: Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Analysis Plan
- Template
Page 1 of 3
University of Maryland University College
STAT200 - Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis
Plan
Identifying Information
Student (Full Name):
Class:
Instructor:
Date:
Scenario: Please write a few lines describing your scenario and
the four variables (in addition to income) you have selected.
Use Table 1 to report the variables selected for this assignment.
Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has
already been completed and can be used as a guide for
completing information on the remaining variables.
Table 1. Variables Selected for the Analysis
Variable Name in the Data Set
Description
(See the data dictionary for describing the variables.)
Type of Variable
(Qualitative or Quantitative)
Variable 1: “Income”
Annual household income in USD.
Quantitative
Variable 2:

2. Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5:
Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected
Outcome(s):
Variable 1: “Income” -
Variable 2: “ “ -
Variable 3: “ “ -
Variable 4: “ “ -
Variable 5: “ “ -
Data Set Description:
Proposed Data Analysis:
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected
Variables and briefly explain why you choose those
measurements. Note: The information for the required variable,
“Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a
guide for completing information on the remaining variables.
Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables
Variable Name
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Rationale for Why Appropriate
Variable 1:
“Income”

3. Number of ObservationsMedianSample Standard Deviation
I am using median for two reasons:If there are any outliers or
the data is not normally distributed, the median is the best
measure of central tendency.The variable is quantitative.
I am using sample standard deviation for three reasons:The data
is a sample from a larger data set.It is the most commonly used
measure of dispersion.The variable is quantitative.
Variable 2:
Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5:
Graphs and/or Tables
Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Table for Selected
Variables and briefly explain why you choose those graphs
and/or tables. Note: The information for the required variable,
“Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a
guide for completing information on the remaining variables.
Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables
Variable Name
Graph and/or Table
Rationale for why Appropriate?
Variable 1:
“Income”

4. Graph: I will use the histogram to show the normal distribution
of data.
Histogram is one of the best plot to show the normal
distribution of quantitative level data .
Variable 2:
Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5:
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Data
Analysis Plan - Instructions
Page 1 of 4
STAT200 Introduction to Statistics
Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis Plan

5. Assignment #1: Prepare Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis
Plan
Before conducting any statistical analyses, researchers develop
a plan for how they will analyze their
data to answer their research questions. The purpose of this
assignment is to provide an experience
developing a descriptive statistics analysis plan. Note: This first
assignment is a plan only; no statistics
will be calculated or graphs created. The second assignment
will involve carrying out the plan, after
receiving feedback from your instructor.
Assignment Steps:
Step #1: Review the STAT200 data set file. (Note: This data set
will be used for all three of this term’s
written assignments).
The data is a subsample from the US Department of Labor’s
Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) and
provides information about the composition of households and
their annual expenditures
(https://www.bls.gov/cex/). Detailed information on the sample
and variables is included with the data
set file; please carefully review this information to familiarize
yourself with the data (Note: This

6. information will be used in Assignment #2 to describe the
dataset).
Step #2: Develop descriptive statistics data analysis plan.
➢ Task 1: Develop scenario. Imagine that you are head of a
household and have to determine a
household budget plan based on the data available from the
dataset. For instance, you are a 35
year old single parent with a high school diploma and one child.
➢ Task 2: Select variables for analysis that match the scenario
developed in Task 1.The data set
provides information on household consumption; there are
socioeconomic variables and
expenditures variables. The socioeconomic variable names start
with “SE-” and the expenditure
variable names start with a “USD;” all expenditures are in US
dollars. All students must use
income as one variable. Select two additional socioeconomic
variables (one qualitative and one
quantitative) and two expenditures for your analysis that match
the scenario you developed for
Task 1. For instance, using the example scenario of a 35 year

7. old single parent with a high
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
https://www.bls.gov/cex/
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Data
Analysis Plan - Instructions
Page 2 of 4
school diploma and one child, you could select “income,”
“education,” and “number of children”
as socioeconomic variables and then pick two household
expenditure items to show the
distribution of costs and compare that with your income. When
selecting variables, think about
the following three questions:
o Why am I choosing these variables?
o What interests me about these variables?
o What do I think will be the outcome?

8. ➢ Task 3: Determine appropriate measures of central tendency
and dispersion for the selected
variables. For each quantitative variable, select at least one
measure of central tendency and at
least one measure of dispersion (Please see below table for list
of measures). For the qualitative
variable, select one measure of central tendency. When
determining the measures of central
tendency and dispersion, think about what is appropriate given
the level of measurement and
type of variable. Recommend referring to the text and
information posted in our LEO classroom
to help with this task (Note: you will use this information to
provide a rationale for your choice
of measures).
Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Dispersion
● Mean
● Mode
● Median
● Range
● Sample Standard Deviation
● Variance
➢ Task 4: Determine appropriate graph and/or table for each of

9. the selected variables. Select
one graph or table for each variable (Please see below table for
list of graphs and tables). When
determining the graphs and tables, think about what is
appropriate given the level of
measurement and type of variable. Recommend referring to the
text and information posted in
our LEO classroom to help with this task (Note: you will use
this information to provide a
rationale for your choice of graphs and/or tables).
Types of Graphs Types of Tables
● Pie Chart
● Bar Chart
● Histogram
● Box Plots (also known as Box-and-Whiskers Plot)
● Frequency Table
● Relative Frequency Table
● Grouped Frequency Table
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Data
Analysis Plan - Instructions
Page 3 of 4
Step #3: Complete the “Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics
Data Analysis Plan Template.”

10. Remember, you will not be conducting any statistical analysis,
drawing any graphs, or compiling any
tables for the first assignment. Rather, you need to wait for
feedback from your instructor on this
assignment and use that feedback to complete Assignment #2.
Here are the main sections for this assignment (i.e., completing
the plan template):
✓ Identifying Information. Fill in information on name, class,
instructor, and date.
✓ Scenario. In this section, briefly (2-3 sentences) describe the
scenario you developed in Step #2,
Task 1.
✓ Complete Table 1: Variables Selected for the Analysis. Enter
information the variables selected
for analysis in Step #2, Task 2. For each selected variable be
sure to include its: name as listed in
the data set, description, and variable type.
✓ Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected
Outcome(s): In this section, for each
selected variable, please answer the following questions:
✓ Why did I choose this variable?

11. ✓ What interests me about this variable?
✓ What do I think will be the outcome?
✓ Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected
Variables. Enter information on
selected measures of central tendency and dispersion for each
selected variable. Be sure to
briefly explain why you choose those measurements. Note: The
information for the required
variable, “Income,” has already been completed and can be used
as a guide for completing
information on the remaining variables.
✓ Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected
Variables. Enter information on
selected graph and/or table for each selected variable. Be sure
to briefly explain why you
choose those measurements. Note: The information for the
required variable, “Income,” has
already been completed and can be used as a guide for
completing information on the
remaining variables.
Assignment Submission: Name the file that contains your
completed “Assignment #1: Descriptive

12. Statistics Data Analysis Plan Template” using the following
format: “Assignment1-StudentLastName.”
STAT200: Written Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Data
Analysis Plan - Instructions
Page 4 of 4
Then, submit the file via the Assignments area in the LEO
classroom in the “Assignment #1: Descriptive
Statistics Data Analysis Plan” folder and wait for your
instructor’s feedback.
Grading Rubric for Written Assignment #1
Scenario and Selection of Related Variables
● Clear description of scenario
● Selected variables and reasons are appropriate for the
scenario.
20%
Selection of Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
For each variable:
● Appropriate measures selected.
● Rationale is provided and appropriate.

13. 30%
Selection of Graphs and/or Tables
For each variable:
● Appropriate measures selected.
● Rationale is provided and appropriate.
30%
Writing Quality:
Completes all sections of template.
Writes clearly, concisely, and with few errors.
20%
STAT200 Introduction to Statistics
Dataset for Written Assignments
Description of Dataset:
The data is a random sample from the US Department of
Labor’s 2016 Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) and provides
information about the composition of households and their
annual expenditures (https://www.bls.gov/cex/). It contains
information from 30 households, where a survey responder
provided the requested information; it is all self-reported
information. This dataset contains four socioeconomic variables
(whose names start with SE) and four expenditure variables
(whose names start with USD).

14. Description of Variables/Data Dictionary:
The following table is a data dictionary that describes the
variables and their locations in this dataset (Note: Dataset is on
second page of this document):
Variable Name
Location in Dataset
Variable Description
Coding
UniqueID#
First Column
Unique number used to identify each survey responder
Each responder has a unique number from 1-30
SE-MaritalStatus
Second Column
Marital Status of Head of Household
Not Married/Married
SE-Income
Third Column
Total Annual Household Income
Amount in US Dollars
SE-AgeHeadHousehold
Fourth Column
Age of the Head of Household
Age in Years
SE-FamilySize
Fifth Column
Total Number of People in Family (Both Adults and Children)
Number of People in Family
USD-Food
Sixth Column
Total Amount of Annual Expenditures on Food
Amount in US Dollars
USD-Meat
Seventh Column
Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Meat

15. Amount in US Dollars
USD-Bakery
Eighth Column
Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Bakery
Amount in US Dollars
USD-Fruits
Ninth Column
Total Amount of Annual Expenditure on Fruit
Amount in US Dollars
How to read the data set: Each row contains information from
one household. For instance, the first row of the dataset starting
on the next page shows us that: the head of household is not
married and is 52 years old, has an annual household income of
$95,744, a family size of 4, annual food expenditures of $7,040,
and spends $906 on meat, $353 on bakery items, and $753 on
fruit.
UniqueID#
SE-MaritalStatus
SE-Income
SE-AgeHeadHousehold
SE-FamilySize
USD-Food
USD-Meat
USD-Bakery
USD-Fruits
1
Not Married
95744
52
4
7040
906
353
753
2
Not Married

16. 94867
60
1
6935
918
351
746
3
Not Married
96244
56
4
7073
918
338
773
4
Not Married
98717
40
3
7036
889
348
768
5
Not Married
96697
49
2
6971
898
357
779
6
Not Married

17. 96886
44
2
6982
917
359
752
7
Not Married
94929
59
2
6948
899
345
771
8
Not Married
96653
51
4
6943
880
352
781
9
Not Married
96928
43
3
6953
887
343
759
10
Not Married

18. 96522
43
4
6991
922
349
758
11
Not Married
96572
59
2
7179
880
353
744
12
Not Married
96621
54
2
7000
911
344
768
13
Not Married
96690
57
2
6822
880
349
764
14
Not Married

19. 96664
53
3
7051
906
346
772
15
Not Married
95366
48
2
7130
904
344
760
16
Married
100947
35
4
8455
910
415
1001
17
Married
114505
36
5
11375
1368
537
1124
18
Married

20. 95865
46
1
9321
1159
447
1006
19
Married
95835
54
3
9111
1098
452
1027
20
Married
100350
31
5
9044
1015
407
1142
21
Married
113558
31
5
10346
1343
515
1122
22
Married

21. 95706
52
4
8925
1207
454
1003
23
Married
106906
51
3
11356
1434
493
1286
24
Married
109377
48
4
10575
1492
517
1096
25
Married
102081
42
4
11738
1348
484
1379
26
Married

22. 103001
34
4
8947
864
427
951
27
Married
110553
23
4
10575
1346
531
1090
28
Married
106977
56
3
10611
1320
546
1120
29
Married
101890
48
2
11089
1481
541
1157
30
Married

23. 100565
18
3
8479
893
370
1068
STAT200: Assignment #1 - Descriptive Statistics Analysis Plan
- Template
Page 1 of 3
University of Maryland University College
STAT200 - Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics Data Analysis
Plan
Identifying Information
Student (Full Name):
Class:
Instructor:
Date:
Scenario: Please write a few lines describing your scenario and
the four variables (in addition to income) you have selected.
Use Table 1 to report the variables selected for this assignment.
Note: The information for the required variable, “Income,” has
already been completed and can be used as a guide for
completing information on the remaining variables.
Table 1. Variables Selected for the Analysis
Variable Name in the Data Set
Description
(See the data dictionary for describing the variables.)
Type of Variable

24. (Qualitative or Quantitative)
Variable 1: “Income”
Annual household income in USD.
Quantitative
Variable 2:
Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5:
Reason(s) for Selecting the Variables and Expected
Outcome(s):
Variable 1: “Income” -
Variable 2: “ “ -
Variable 3: “ “ -
Variable 4: “ “ -
Variable 5: “ “ -
Data Set Description:
Proposed Data Analysis:
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Complete Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected
Variables and briefly explain why you choose those
measurements. Note: The information for the required variable,
“Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a
guide for completing information on the remaining variables.

25. Table 2. Numerical Summaries of the Selected Variables
Variable Name
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Rationale for Why Appropriate
Variable 1:
“Income”
Number of ObservationsMedianSample Standard Deviation
I am using median for two reasons:If there are any outliers or
the data is not normally distributed, the median is the best
measure of central tendency.The variable is quantitative.
I am using sample standard deviation for three reasons:The data
is a sample from a larger data set.It is the most commonly used
measure of dispersion.The variable is quantitative.
Variable 2:
Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5:
Graphs and/or Tables
Complete Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Table for Selected
Variables and briefly explain why you choose those graphs
and/or tables. Note: The information for the required variable,
“Income,” has already been completed and can be used as a
guide for completing information on the remaining variables.
Table 3. Type of Graphs and/or Tables for Selected Variables

26. Variable Name
Graph and/or Table
Rationale for why Appropriate?
Variable 1:
“Income”
Graph: I will use the histogram to show the normal distribution
of data.
Histogram is one of the best plot to show the normal
distribution of quantitative level data .
Variable 2:
Variable 3:
Variable 4:
Variable 5: