Complete initial discussion and 2 replies to classmates for Social Science Statistics Course

Complete Initial Discussion and reply to 2 classmates posts..please separate the initial discussion and replies

Discussion Board Posting #3

“Variables” and “Samples” are mentioned quite regularly in the process of data-gathering. Why are they so important to a researcher and what significance do they play in reporting, distorting, or manipulating outcomes…

THEN…

Review one of the TEDTalks videos (Located in the Modules)…3 paragraphs…which did you watch…why did you choose it? Second, summarize what your heard/saw. Three, why is this important to the understanding of social issues and society at large in regards to outcome data and application of science to understand the social world?

https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_b…

CLASSMATE POST 1:

Variables and samples are important to researchers because they allow them to study and analyze cause and effect relationships. Independent variables are usually the focus of a study and can often be manipulated or changed by the researcher. The dependent variable, on the other hand, allows researchers the opportunity to predict and explain the outcome. Properly collecting samples can minimize the risk of bias occurring.

The TED Talks video that I chose to watch is “Own your own body’s data.” I decided to watch the video because the title intrigued me. Once I read a little of the video summary, I felt that I would be able to relate to what the presenter was discussing. According to Talitha Williams, we can use data about our bodies to help tell us things which can, in turn, help us accurately diagnose things that may be wrong with us such as thyroid disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, and miscarriage.

I can relate because for several years now I have been told that I am prediabetic and have prehypertension. My doctor has encouraged me to test my blood pressure and my blood sugar at home. I have rarely done it because it brings on slight anxiety testing my numbers at home. My numbers are rarely the same at home and the doctor’s office and that concerns me. Talitha told an interesting story about when she was 41 weeks pregnant and overdue. She explained that naturally, the doctors wanted to do a stress test as well as induce her because she was overdue. The doctor explained to her that she had a fifty percent chance of having a miscarriage the longer she stayed pregnant. She challenged the doctor to show her the data on the proportion of women that miscarry due to being overdue. When presented with the stats she was not convinced by what the doctor told her, and she stuck it out. I had to be induced in three out my four pregnancies and while they were not fun I did not challenge what the doctors said. I wanted to make sure that I had safe and healthy deliveries. I do understand the point that she is ultimately making in how we can have some authority over our situations. In my case, taking things like my blood pressure and blood sugar are easy to do and in the long run, can allow me to take ownership of my data and situation.

The message that Talitha Williams presented “Own your body’s own data” is fundamental to understanding social issues and the social world. So many people in our society are living with treatable and preventable conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. More alarming is that many are not even aware that something may be wrong. By taking collecting data such as your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and temperature, we become the authority on our bodies and can work with the doctor to effectively diagnose what may be wrong.

CLASSMATE POST 2:

For the accuracy of a study and it’s content, it’s important for researchers to identify variables correctly. The two types of variables are independent variable and dependent variable. The independent variable can be directed. The dependent variable is often being tested unlike the independent variable. This is important because just like information is collected from the discovery of each variable and it’s expected or unexpected function, information is also collected through sampling.

When we think of sampling we think of taking away a small piece of something that is bigger. According to writers of Stat Trek, to gather an entire population of anything would be too much of a hassle so that’s why we take away a small portion of the population.

The TEDTalks video that I watched was titled The Birth of A Word. I chose to watch this video because i always thought that TEDTalks videos were different educators from all over the world who created different topics to present to an audience. When I saw the title of the video, I assumed that it would be about different students and how they communicate with each other. Little did i know, this video is much more complex than what I thought.

Deb Roy talks about how his son developed his speech through active movements and the language of his caregivers. Roy informs the audience of the cameras that were around his entire house that picked up the movement and language associated with certain words. For example, he showed the comparison between his son and the nanny using the word “water” to their use of the word “bye”. The word bye was highly used near the door verses the word water being highly used in the kitchen.

This experience that I’ve observed from watching the video is essential and necessary in the social word. It gives us an insight of how adolescents learn certain terms. It seems easier for them to process the time to use these terms. Also, for people who are unfamiliar with a foreign language, we learn through movements. For example, I’ve been friends with a hispanic woman since 2012. There were lots of things that I had to adjust to at different family functions or even through simple conversations. If there was something that I couldn’t comprehend, one of her family members would point at what they were referring to which made it easier for me to learn.

“Stat Trek.” Chi-Square Test of Independence, stattrek.com/statistics/dictionary.aspx?definition=sample.