Statistics Coursework

Statistics coursework is the body of assignments required for the completion of a statistics course.  Many students assume that statistics coursework will not require much writing because statistics, being a quantitative discipline, naturally lends itself to quantitative assessment in the form of tests and quizzes.  However, it is likely that the coursework for a statistics class will include various written components in which students must explain or analyze statistical concepts or methods.  Some statistics coursework may only require learners to write a paragraph or two, while other assignments will entail pages of explanation.  In all statistics coursework, it is important for students to convey themselves in an academic and direct fashion.

Statistics coursework that requires writing will be different from writing assignments for other classes, mainly in the style of presentation.  Writing that explains or analyzes scientific data takes a different tone than writing that explains or analyzes other phenomena.  This tone is one of objective reporting and straightforward description.  Students may find upon reading articles or other statistical reference sources that there is frequently no distinct voice of the author in the same way that there is an author voice in the articles of other disciplines.  This is because the interpretation and analysis of statistics is expected to be objective; therefore, the writing and reporting of that interpretation and analysis should assume an impartial tone.  Furthermore, statistics writing should be as concise as possible and, with the exception of terminology used in the field of statistics, should avoid elaborate language.  The primary objective of all statistics courseworks should be precision and clarity.  Most sentences should be of a simple structure and avoid using descriptive language that is not necessary for explanation.  Students should also remember that in the effort of objective reporting, they should avoid the use of the first person voice ("I" and "me").

Statistics coursework will almost always involve the inclusion of figures, tables, or lists of statistical data.  These components can make complex data easily accessible and understandable.  However, learners should use such references as support for their written explanations and not replacements for them.  This means that whenever statistical data is represented in the text, it should be introduced so that it is clear from where that data comes, and then discussed so that it is fully explained to the reader.  Some professors will prefer that such data is referenced in an appendix at the end of the text, while others like it better integrated into the text.

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