VIDEO REPORT BYCONNYE PARIS, FALL 2002

FOR ALL PRACTICALPURPOSES

CATEGORY #2 –STATISTICS

PART I/Summary & Analysis

Statistics is a science wherever large numbers are afundamental part of the story. Repetition gives rise to patterns - patterns we can discern by applyingmath methods to carefully chosen samples. Wherever chance operates freely, statistical techniques can help us findunderlying order.  Whether the taskat hand is estimation or prediction, or experimentation or survey, statisticsis the mathematical framework that affects our lives, and has something to tellus.

In an effort to ensure reliability of data andprevent bias, three important areas must be chosen carefully:

Ø   Size – have a good representative sample or eventto be measured;

Ø   Kind – define the concept with care;

Ø   Manner – in which information is drawn byrandomization.

Statisticians take samples and analyze them.  For instance, taking a survey needs arepresentative sample – precise with data.  In the videos, there were examples of various ways in which collecting,tracking and organizing data was used to draw conclusions and make accuratepredictions.  Identifying patternsfrom the large amounts of data is the special problems of statistics.  Equally as special the language isnumbers, which places great importance on how dependable and accurate, as wellas how reliable they are.

            Thescience of statistics gave examples of how statistics affect our daily lives inmany ways such as in social policy and health issues.  As part of a Physicians Heath Study, one example of amedically related experiment performed on different doctors in treatment groupswas conducted using the randomization method.  Although the outcome of the experiment was not announced inthe video, the results of the survey would eventually go to show if daily dosesof betacaratine reduced the risk of cancer development. 

An additionalmedical related experiment also ongoing in the video that was being performedon physicians in a different treatment group was taking an oral daily low doseof aspirin to see if this would reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular

disease.  Both of these experiments were anonymous in that everyphysician involved knew nothing about what they were taking because it wasbeing administered to them by randomization in their daily doses of medication.

PART II/Critique & Evaluation

Knowing verylittle previously about statistics other than from my own personal experiencefrom participation in health surveys, voting, and some census information, Ifound the videos to be very informative. I enjoyed the variety of topics in the gaming categories in America fromhow baseball team players are ranked on their averages among other players inthe leagues to the subject of gambling and casinos.  I particularly found the gambling topic very interesting andenlightening.  Perhaps shocked is abetter term to use.  I am not agambler myself, but occasionally will accompany my husband on trips to thecasinos at times where I try my luck at the slot machines.  I was very surprised at the statisticalresearch shown in this area in that the casinos measure long-term patterns

precisely, and that the odds of allgames in a casino are in their favor. More surprising, was that for every single dollar that a cashier takesin at a window, five cents of that dollar, in the end, will stay at thecasino.  I feel duped!

In terms of information, I found the content to bevery informative.  However, I feelthe pace of the videos was a little too fast for me and found myself having torewind and review quite frequently. I might have attributed this to my need to gain a better understandingof statistics, but found I kept missing key pieces of information that I neededto go back and refer to, and so on. Again, even though I was ready to listen and take notes, I found myselfhaving to go back and rewind to catch all information relative to why somethingwas important to a statistical situation.

As an educational tool, I feel viewing these videosare an excellent way to learn about new mathematical areas.  Even though I did not like the contentof what I was hearing about gambling being a rip-off, (so-to-speak) and knew ofthis anyway, I especially enjoyed the incorporation of learning about howstatistics relates to something fun, like the gaming topics. 

Although I believeit helps to have some acting experience in any type of movie production, butespecially these documentary and educational videos to keep it

interesting, I noticed the peoplein these videos were extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter andcontent they discussed.  So havinga well-known name or reputation of being a big star may not be a considerationwhen acting in one of these types of movies.  There were a variety of commentators such as doctors,researchers, baseball commentators, factor and blue-collar workers, and justplain everyday people going about their daily lives showing examples of howstatistics comes into play, with one main central narrator/commentator rollingup all the events and how they fit in together.

            Inclosing, I found that watching the videos in the comfort of my own home wasequally enjoyable, especially since I was not feeling too good.  I was ready for a less than excitingexperience and found myself pleasantly surprised with the content and how itwas conveyed. 

I would also liketo comment on for any future assignments I would be in favor of watching theseeducational videos as learning tools and may perhaps view more of these kindsof movies when, or if a need exists. I currently enjoy The Learning Channel available through publicbroadcasting television (TLC) and The Discovery Channel, both of which showeducational material that my family and I occasionally watch.