PUAF 610

Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis

Fall 2007

Problem Set #1

Due: 17 Sept for Monday, 12 Sept for Wednesday
 
 

1.

 Download the data set PUAF610grades.xls, which contains data on average homework score, midterm and final exam score, and final grade for students that have taken this class previously. Also given is the term the class was taken and the student's gender and degree program ("ADV" is "advanced special student"; "other" refers to students enrolled in other departments).
  A. Construct a frequency table for final exam scores for all students.  
B. Construct histograms for problem set score, midterm exam score, and final exam score. Describe the shapes of these distributions.
C.

Using the Pivot Table tool, construct a frequency table and chart for final grades, grouping plusses and minuses together (A+ = A- = A). What percentage received a grade of "A"? A grade of "C"?

Excel tip: To group categorical variables, first highlight the categories to be grouped, then right-click in the highlighted area, and select Group and Outline/Group from the drop-down menu. Replace the default group name (Group1) with a meaningful name. When you are finished creating groups, drag the ungrouped grade variable off the table to express counts or percentages in terms of the groups.
  D. Construct a scatterplot for midterm and final exam score. Comment.  
E. Construct a scatterplot for problem set score and final exam score. Compare to the scatterplot for midterm and final exam score. What do you conclude?
F. Using a frequency table or the Pivot Table tool, compare the final grades of MPP, MPM, PhD, ADV, and "other" students in this class. What do you conclude?
  G. Explore the relationship between two variables of of your choice. Possibilities include the relationship between problem set, midterm exam, final exam, or final grades by gender, program, or term; or the relationship between the variables scores and grades.  

 

H.

Produce summary statistics for the data set. Calculate the mean, standard deviation, and median for the problem set, midterm exam, and final exam scores of all students. What do you notice about the relationship between the mean and the median in each case? What does this tell you about the distribution of scores?

I.

Calculate and compare the mean and standard deviation of the final exam scores by degree program.

(Again, this problem can be solved quickly using a pivot table. If you solve this problem by sorting the data, your answers to the previous question may change. Either copy your answers and paste the values only using Edit/Paste Special, or copy the data to a new page and resort for each problem.)

J.

Calculate and compare the mean and standard deviation of the final exam scores by term.