STATISTICS 2MB3

TEST #1 * 2005-02-03
Instructions

This test is to be written in the BSB Computer Lab. The duration of the test is 2 hours.

Any calculators and one sheet of notes (8.5" x 11", one side only) are permitted.

You may consult any web pages but you may not use e-mail or communicate with anyone else.

Use R to do your analyses and draw graphs. Your response to each question should be in the form of a report. Prepare the report in a word processor, integrating graphics and discussion. Print out and submit your report at the end of the test period. Only printed reports will be accepted. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.

Question 1

Do an exploratory graphical analysis of the data in the Niagara River Pollution Case Study. Specifically,

  1. Use box plots to compare the discharge at Fort Erie with discharge at Niagara on the Lake.
  2. Give a time series plot of discharge at Niagara on the Lake, smoothed with exponential smoothing, plotted against Julian date. Explain why putting discharge on a log scale does not make much difference to the plot.
  3. Smooth the times series of discharge at Fort Erie and plot it against Julian date, adding it to the graph you created in (b). What does this tell you that the box plots in (a) couldn't tell you?
  4. In the Niagara on the Lake data, are there any relationships between discharge, sediment concentration and the concentration of PCB in solids? Use a scatterplot matrix. Do log transformations help?
  5. Does the log of PCB concentration in solids at Niagara on the Lake follow a Normal distribution?
Question 2

Explain Florence Nightingale's contribution to statistical graphics. How did this help the British army in the Crimean War?

Statistics 2MB3