A brand new book by Roger Hoerl and Ron Snee is just coming off the presses
at Duxbury that I strongly recommend that you get a copy of. The title is
Statistical Thinking: Improving Business Performance. It takes a totally
new approach to introductory statistics in that starts with general
concepts and philosophy before getting into statistical tools. I am using
a pre-publication copy with a small introductory class. On Friday of last
week I gave an assignment to write an in-class essay on their reaction to
the book after only four weeks into the class. The students' responses
were overwhelmingly positive. I will give you just one example of the 20
or so responses that I received.
"At first when I began this course, my outlook was pretty pessimistic. I
have previously taken a stats class at another university and wasn't
excited that I'd have to take another. Although the class was fairly easy
and sometimes (gasp) even fun, I took very few applicable ideas from it.
Now after reading a few chapters of this text, I have been introduced to
new ways of thinking about process improvement. I've even been
implimenting some of the ideas into my life. The text is great! The way
the info is presented is revolutionary! I love it so much that I'm thinking
about writing my old professor and suggesting this text for her class."
That was not the most positive response I got. (By the way, the students
were told that this was not going to be graded and that they should not put
their name on it.) There were one or two negative comments but most were
positive.
I think the approach taken by Hoerl and Snee has the potential to change
introductory statistics for business majors into a course that is sought
after rather than one that is dreaded.
G. Rex Bryce
At 06:43 PM 02/05/2001 +0000, you wrote:
>Dear GRB
>
>Thank you very much for your valuable information.
>
>I am an applied statistician with some experience in the field of
>application of statistics for Quality Management in (Indian) Industries.
>
>Traditionally we were teaching only statistical tools and very little of
>concepts. At present I am developing a fresh module for engineers and
>managers (Both Manufacturing and non manufacturing areas)
>
>Could you please send me some detailed information in the area.
>
>
>Sugata Adhikari
>
>
>>From: "G. Rex Bryce" <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: Concerned with the initial learning and teaching of statistics
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Statistical Thinking
>>Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 10:42:53 -0700
>>
>>According to the American Quality Society's Statistics Division statistical
>>thinking is defined as:
>>
>>Statistical thinking is a philosophy of learning and action based on these
>>fundamental principles:
>> All work occurs in a system of interconnected processes.
>> Variation exists in all processes.
>> Undestanding and reducing variation are keys to sussess.
>>
>>It applies to our daily life in that everything we do (all work) can be
>>improved by applying the fundamental principles.
>>
>>GRB
>>
>>At 06:33 PM 02/04/2001 +0000, you wrote:
>> >People these days talk about "Statistical thinking" What is "Statistical
>> >thinking"? Can it be precisely defined? Is there any material on the
>>subject
>> >matter?
>> >
>> >I remember H G walse wrote in 1925 “Statistical thinking will one day be
>>as
>> >necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write”
>> >
>> >How does it apply to our daily life ?
>> >
>> >
>> >Sugata Adhikari
>> >
>> >SQC & OR Unit
>> >ISI
>> >27B Camac Street
>> >Kolekata - 700016
>> >India
>> >email: [log in to unmask]
>> >_________________________________________________________________________
>> >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>> >
>>
>>
>>------------------------------------------------
>>G. Rex Bryce, Ph.D.
>>206 TMCB
>>Department of Statistics
>>Brigham Young University
>>Provo, Utah 84602
>>Phone: (801) 378-7052
>>Fax: (801) 378-5722
>>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>-------------------------------------------------
>
>_________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
------------------------------------------------
G. Rex Bryce, Ph.D.
206 TMCB
Department of Statistics
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah 84602
Phone: (801) 378-7052
Fax: (801) 378-5722
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
-------------------------------------------------
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