Module 2 – Case
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
Case Assignment
This is a three-part assignment related to a study of contraceptive drug use among women. Table2A is a distribution of systolic blood pressures cross tabulated by age and pill use for women.
Table 2A. Distribution of systolic blood pressure, cross-tabulated by age and pill use.
Blood Pressure
(mm)
Age 35-44
Non-Users
Users
%
%
Under 90
1
1
91-95
2
1
96-100
5
4
101-105
9
5
106-110
11
7
111-115
15
12
116-120
16
14
121-125
9
11
126-130
10
11
131-135
8
10
136-140
5
7
141-145
4
6
146-150
2
5
151-155
1
3
156-160
1
1
160 and over
1
2
Total Percent
100
100
Total Number
3,494
1,028
First, state whether blood pressure in Table 2A would be a continuous variable or a discrete variable. Explain. Then supposing that the number of women in each of groups (non-users and users) were identified, would the number of women in each category be a continuous variable or a discrete variable? Explain.
Part 2: Use any free online histogram maker* to draw histograms for the blood pressures of the users and nonusers ages 35–44. Discuss one conclusion that can be made about blood pressure and pill use. *Here are some free resources:
http://www.zweigmedia.com/RealWorld/stats/histogram.html
Part 3: Based on what you’ve learned in this module about normal distributions, explain why a normal approximation of data would be helpful to view the data. For example, you could describe the steps that one would take to estimate the percentage of women with blood pressures in an age group.
Assignment Expectations
Assessment and Grading: Your paper will be assessed based on the performance assessment rubric that is linked within the course. Review it before you begin working on the assignment.
