Stats for Scaredy-Cats [electronic resource] : A How-To Guide for Rural Data Users.
This guide provides some basic statistical techniques that may be used in writing grant proposals, analyzing reports, and evaluating programs. Examples focus on rural Pennsylvania. The first section, Understanding Data, discusses definitions, codes, and data limitations. Definitions of Census Bureau...
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Full Text (via ERIC) |
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| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
2002.
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| Summary: | This guide provides some basic statistical techniques that may be used in writing grant proposals, analyzing reports, and evaluating programs. Examples focus on rural Pennsylvania. The first section, Understanding Data, discusses definitions, codes, and data limitations. Definitions of Census Bureau geographic, demographic, housing, and socioeconomic terms are supplied. Commonly confused statistical terms such as estimates versus projections, mean versus median, percent versus percentile, and confidence interval and margin of error are defined. Although many agencies have their own identifying codes, two universally recognized codes are identified: Federal Information Processing System and North American Industry Classification System. Confidentiality and suppression limitations are discussed, as is the need for qualitative data. The second section, Working with Data, presents information on comparing variables and time periods. Ratios, percents, percent of total, and per capita can all be used to compare variables. The purpose and use of each are discussed and examples given. The same format is used to present how numerical change, percent change, and adjusting for inflation can be used to compare time periods. The third section, Gathering Data, explains how data from others can be made to fit with one's own data; consistency in software, units, and universe are discussed, as well as the importance of current information. Federal and Pennsylvania sources of data are presented. Two appendices define Pennsylvania local governments and discuss data quirks. (TD) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Document Number: ED480730. Availability: For full text: http://www.ruralpa.org/Stats.pdf. |
| Physical Description: | 23 pages. |