VIDEO REPORT BY CONNYE PARIS, FALL 2002

 

FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES

 

CATEGORY #2 – STATISTICS

 

PART I/Summary & Analysis

 

Statistics is a science wherever large numbers are a fundamental part of the story.  Repetition gives rise to patterns - patterns we can discern by applying math methods to carefully chosen samples.  Wherever chance operates freely, statistical techniques can help us find underlying order.  Whether the task at hand is estimation or prediction, or experimentation or survey, statistics is the mathematical framework that affects our lives, and has something to tell us.

 

In an effort to ensure reliability of data and prevent bias, three important areas must be chosen carefully:

 

Ø    Size – have a good representative sample or event to be measured;

Ø    Kind – define the concept with care;

Ø    Manner – in which information is drawn by randomization.

 

Statisticians take samples and analyze them.  For instance, taking a survey needs a representative sample – precise with data.  In the videos, there were examples of various ways in which collecting, tracking and organizing data was used to draw conclusions and make accurate predictions.  Identifying patterns from the large amounts of data is the special problems of statistics.  Equally as special the language is numbers, which places great importance on how dependable and accurate, as well as how reliable they are.

 

            The science of statistics gave examples of how statistics affect our daily lives in many ways such as in social policy and health issues.  As part of a Physicians Heath Study, one example of a medically related experiment performed on different doctors in treatment groups was conducted using the randomization method.  Although the outcome of the experiment was not announced in the video, the results of the survey would eventually go to show if daily doses of betacaratine reduced the risk of cancer development. 

 

An additional medical related experiment also ongoing in the video that was being performed on physicians in a different treatment group was taking an oral daily low dose of aspirin to see if this would reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular

disease.  Both of these experiments were anonymous in that every physician involved knew nothing about what they were taking because it was being administered to them by randomization in their daily doses of medication.

 

PART II/Critique & Evaluation

 

Knowing very little previously about statistics other than from my own personal experience from participation in health surveys, voting, and some census information, I found the videos to be very informative.  I enjoyed the variety of topics in the gaming categories in America from how baseball team players are ranked on their averages among other players in the leagues to the subject of gambling and casinos.  I particularly found the gambling topic very interesting and enlightening.  Perhaps shocked is a better term to use.  I am not a gambler myself, but occasionally will accompany my husband on trips to the casinos at times where I try my luck at the slot machines.  I was very surprised at the statistical research shown in this area in that the casinos measure long-term patterns

precisely, and that the odds of all games in a casino are in their favor.  More surprising, was that for every single dollar that a cashier takes in at a window, five cents of that dollar, in the end, will stay at the casino.  I feel duped!

 

In terms of information, I found the content to be very informative.  However, I feel the pace of the videos was a little too fast for me and found myself having to rewind and review quite frequently.  I might have attributed this to my need to gain a better understanding of statistics, but found I kept missing key pieces of information that I needed to go back and refer to, and so on.  Again, even though I was ready to listen and take notes, I found myself having to go back and rewind to catch all information relative to why something was important to a statistical situation.

 

As an educational tool, I feel viewing these videos are an excellent way to learn about new mathematical areas.  Even though I did not like the content of what I was hearing about gambling being a rip-off, (so-to-speak) and knew of this anyway, I especially enjoyed the incorporation of learning about how statistics relates to something fun, like the gaming topics. 

 

Although I believe it helps to have some acting experience in any type of movie production, but especially these documentary and educational videos to keep it

interesting, I noticed the people in these videos were extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and content they discussed.  So having a well-known name or reputation of being a big star may not be a consideration when acting in one of these types of movies.  There were a variety of commentators such as doctors, researchers, baseball commentators, factor and blue-collar workers, and just plain everyday people going about their daily lives showing examples of how statistics comes into play, with one main central narrator/commentator rolling up all the events and how they fit in together.

 

            In closing, I found that watching the videos in the comfort of my own home was equally enjoyable, especially since I was not feeling too good.  I was ready for a less than exciting experience and found myself pleasantly surprised with the content and how it was conveyed. 

 

I would also like to comment on for any future assignments I would be in favor of watching these educational videos as learning tools and may perhaps view more of these kinds of movies when, or if a need exists.  I currently enjoy The Learning Channel available through public broadcasting television (TLC) and The Discovery Channel, both of which show educational material that my family and I occasionally watch.