AGSC 137 - Final Examination Study Guide Page 1 of 1
School of Agriculture and
Natural Resources
AGSC 137
Analysis and Interpretation of Agricultural Data
Spring 2009
Final Examination Study Guide
Prepared By
Dr. Walid H. Shayya
!Know the definition of the terms statistics, descriptive statistics, and statistical inference
!Understand the common misuses of statistics, including bias, faulty generalizations, faulty
deduction, non-comparable data, error in semantics, oversimplification, and spurious accuracy
!Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative variables as well as discrete
and continuous variables
!Understand the basic algebra of summation
!Understand the different ways of presenting data
!Know how to histograms, frequency polygons, relative frequency polygons, and the less-than
and more-than cumulative frequency distributions
!Understand the measures of central tendency of data, including arithmetic mean, midrange,
median, and mode (questions will mostly focus on ungrouped data) as well as how these
compare for symmetrical and skewed distributions
!Know how to utilize measures of dispersion, including range and standard deviation
!Have a basic understanding of MS Excel (as covered in the class)
!Understand the need for probability and its potential application in statistical inference
!Know how relative frequency can be applied in establishing probabilities
!Understand the difference among experiment, outcome, and event
!Have a basic understanding of sets and subsets as well as Venn diagrams
!Understand the three basic rules of probability
!Understand the similarities between frequency distributions and probability distributions
!Understand the basic premise behind normal probability distribution
!Know how to transform normally-distributed data to benefit from the standard normal
distribution curve (using MS Excel)
!Understand the concept of correlation analysis and how to use the coefficient of correlation
!Know how to use scatter diagrams to graphically display the correlation between two variables
(including how to add a trend line to a scatter diagram in MS Excel)
!Understand the basic concepts of simple and multiple linear regression
!Know how to use correlation and regression functions in MS Excel to solve problems
!Be able to solve a variety of problems (similar to those completed in the class as well as
problems included on homework assignments) using MS Excel
Note: The final exam will include two sections. The first is a closed book with multiple choice and
true or false questions. The second section is an open book exam with problems to be solved
using MS Excel. The final exam for AGSC 137 will be at 8:00 a.m. on Monday - May 11 in 102
Marshall Hall. Please bring your laptop along!
File: 137_FinalExamStudyGuideN.wpd
Last Modified: April 23, 2009
