- What is the problem? What data are available? Describe it in a way that could be understood by any of the other MTH 4130 students.
- Why is it important?
- What work has been done on this type of problem before?
- What type of statistical approach are you going to take?
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It is a question of organization.” - Robert A. Day, How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Structure of a Statistical Report Title Abstract Introduction Background Material (if necessary) Statistical Analysis Conclusions and Discussion References ( = bibliography) Appendix (if necessary) MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Title Aim: describe contents of report clearly and concisely. Avoid using abbreviations and jargon in title. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Abstract (or Summary) Aim: to summarize report in about 100 or 200 words. Include: main objectives, statistical methods used, summary of most important results, major conclusions. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Introduction What is the problem? What data are available? Describe it in a way that could be understood by any of the other MTH 4130 students. Why is it important? What work has been done on this type of problem before? What type of statistical approach are you going to take? MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Background (if necessary) If the problem studied requires a time-consuming description, it may be better to give only a rough outline in the Introduction and to give details in this section. If the project involves a lot of ‘new’ statistical methodology (i.e. material not known by other MTH 4130 students) then it can be covered in this section. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Statistical Analysis Describe statistical methods used (see next slide) Give results - fitted models, parameter estimates, confidence intervals, ANOVA tables etc. as appropriate. Say what statistical package was used, but do not spend time describing the particular operation that package. (E.g. Do not say, “The data were loaded into SAS, then the ln() function was used…”.) MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Describing Statistical Methods Assume reader has statistical knowledge of an average MTH 4130 student. Hence, if using standard statistical methods (e.g. multiple regression) there is no need to describe theory of the method; just details of its application (e.g. fitted model, F and p-values as appropriate). ‘New’ techniques will need to be described. You will need to show an understanding of what they do and how they work, but not technical detail. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Conclusions and Discussion Provide interpretation of statistical results. Ensure that your conclusions address the original aims of the analysis. How do your results fit into a broader context? Discuss possible extensions, generalizations etc. of your work. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * References List of references cited in report. Journal article format: Bloggs, J. and Smith, R. (1987). Variable selection in Cox proportional hazards models. Journal of the Invented Statistical Society, 34, 11-30. Book format: Jørgensen, B. (1993). The Theory of Linear Models. Chapman & Hall: New York. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Citations You can cite a text (book, journal article etc.) to support a statement, or provide the reader with a source of further information. Several styles for citations - simplest is to cite by author name(s) and date. E.g. “Non-linear regression models have proved useful for the analysis of similar data sets in agriculture. See Watson (1987), for example.” Use Bloggs et al. (1998) if 3+ authors. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * How to Start Writing Decide what points you want to get across in the section you are writing. Jot down a ‘skeleton plan’ for the section, describing how you will move from one point to the next. Only then begin to write full paragraphs. Moral: Don’t ‘jump in’ without planning first. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * English Usage - A Nice Quotation “One should not aim at being possible to understand but at being impossible to misunderstand.” - Quintillian MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * English Usage - Rules of Thumb Best to avoid writing in the first person (i.e. using “I”) in statistical reports. Either write in the passive voice (e.g. “The data were analyzed using logistic regression.”) or using “we” (e.g. “We analyzed the data using logistic regression.” Try to avoid very long, convoluted sentences. Split long sentences in two where possible. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Correct English Usage Write in proper sentences - each sentence must contain a verb. Check spelling with a spell checker (but do proof read as well!) “Data” is a plural noun - the singular is “datum” Get the full stops in the right places when using abbreviations: e.g. (not eg.), i.e. (not ie.), et al. (only a full stop after the “l”). MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Tables and Figures Include in the main body of the text only those tables and figures that you think are essential. Each table and figure should be numbered (so you can refer to it in the text). Each table and figure should have a caption (describing the content of the table or figure). Keep tables as simple as possible. Comparison easier across table columns than rows. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Mathematical and Statistical Notation Keep notation consistent throughout report. Try and copy a good convention (from a book or from lecture notes, for example). Number any equation that you wish to refer to in the text. MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Appendices An appendix is optional. If the data set is not too large then including a print out in the appendix can be useful. It can be used to include tables and figures of marginal importance. It can be used to include (annotated) computer code. (This should not appear in the main body of text.) MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Examples: What is wrong with…? “The regression of yield on the covariates crop density, temperature and humidity (which were stored in an SAS data frame my.data) was motivated by analysis of similar data sets by Peterson et. al. (1994).” “Age is not significant in model 2, and so we do not consider it any further.” “The p-value of 0.014 proves that age has quite a strong effect on the risk of catching the disease.” MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Checklist (i) Is report well structured? (Suitable numbered sectional headings employed?) Is report of an appropriate length? Should be about 20 pages; i.e. about 5000 words with additional tables and figures as required. Have all cited works been included in the reference list? Has the report been spell-checked and proof read? MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics * Checklist (ii) Is the notation consistent throughout? Are equation numbers, table numbers and figure numbers consistent? Does the title accurately characterize the report? Do the conclusions drawn at the end of the report address the aims of the project? MTH 4130: Introduction to statistics Wednesday, December 07, 2011 12:53 PM Lecture 24 Page 1 Lecture 24 Page 2 Lecture 24 Page 3 Screen clipping taken: 12/7/2011, 1:37 PM Lecture 24 Page 4 Lecture 24 Page 5 Lecture 24 Page 6