Using Research Papers as a Tool in Teaching Introductory Statistics
by
Diane Fisher
Louisiana State University at Eunice

The introductory course in statistics has traditionally been taught as a collection of formulas and techniques that, to a novice student, have little or no relationship to each other. With the focus on computation, skills, and compartmentalized knowledge, students complete the course with little understanding of the statistical process and find no use for what they have learned in their jobs or academic pursuits. In recent years, many statisticians have become involved in the reform movement in statistical education aimed at the teaching of the introductory statistics course. Those interested in reform want to emphasize statistical thinking and understanding and help students appreciate the role of statistics in the scientific process and in life. This paper suggests using research papers from refereed journals to illustrate how different statistical concepts are used together in scientific inquiry. In addition, it is hoped that students will see the value of statistics and its relevance in their lives and careers through examining research in their own areas of interest.

Date received: August 28, 2003