(Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis )Week 3 Discussion: Central Tendency and Variability

Discussion: Central Tendency and Variability Understanding descriptive statistics and their variability is a fundamental aspect of statistical analysis. On their own, descriptive statistics tell us how frequently an observation occurs, what is considered “average”, and how far data in our sample deviate from being “average.” With descriptive statistics, we are able to provide a summary of characteristics from both large and small datasets. In addition to the valuable information they provide on their own, measures of central tendency and variability become important components in many of the statistical tests that we will cover. Therefore, we can think about central tendency and variability as the cornerstone to the quantitative structure we are building. For this Discussion, you will examine central tendency and variability based on two separate variables. You will also explore the implications for positive social change based on the results of the data. To prepare for this Discussion: Review this week’s Learning Resources and the Descriptive Statistics media program. For additional support, review the Skill Builder: Visual Displays for Categorical Variables and the Skill Builder: Visual Displays for Continuous Variables, which you can find by navigating back to your Blackboard Course Home Page. From there, locate the Skill Builder link in the left navigation pane. Review the Chapter 4 of the Wagner text and the examples in the SPSS software related to central tendency and variability. From the General Social Survey dataset found in this week’s Learning Resources, use the SPSS software and choose one continuous and one categorical variable Note: this dataset will be different from your Assignment dataset). As you review, consider the implications for positive social change based on the results of your data. By Day 3 -Wednesday Post, present, and report a descriptive analysis for your variables, specifically noting the following: For your continuous variable: Report the mean, median, and mode. What might be the better measure for central tendency? (i.e., mean, median, or mode) and why? Report the standard deviation. How variable are the data? How would you describe this data? What sort of research question would this variable help answer that might inform social change? Post the following information for your categorical variable: A frequency distribution. An appropriate measure of variation. How variable are the data? How would you describe this data? What sort of research question would this variable help answer that might inform social change? Be sure to support your Main Post and Response Post with reference to the week’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style. By Day 5 -Friday’s Respond to at least two colleagues’ post with a comment on the presentation and interpretation of their analysis. In your response, address the following questions: Was the presentation of results clear? If so, provide some specific comments on why. If not, provide constructive suggestions. Are you able to understand how the results might relate back to positive social change? Do you think there are other aspects of positive social change related to the results?

Create a scenario for your problem and gather or make up data to include one qualitative and two quantitative variables relating to your scenario and 15 data values.

Think of a problem from your degree major that interests you. You will use this problem throughout the entire course, so choose carefully. There is an Application Index starting on page XIX of the textbook that might prove to be helpful. You might also look at the datasets in Statdisk for ideas, but don’t use any of them. Create a scenario for your problem and gather or make up data to include one qualitative and two quantitative variables relating to your scenario and 15 data values.

Defense mechanisms are a long-standing part of psychology stemming back to the early work of Sigmund Freud.

Week 5 Assignment: Defense Mechanisms “Hi. I’m John, and I’m an addict.” While this might be a cliché attributed to a well-known addiction program, it is true that the first step in treating an addiction is admitting there is a problem. This might seem easy for most, but it is a major acknowledgment for an addict. Addictions serve a purpose in someone’s life, and working to change the addiction means letting go of that purpose. People often hold on to addictions by means of defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are a long-standing part of psychology stemming back to the early work of Sigmund Freud. Although many aspects of Freud’s early theories are not a part of modern clinical practice, defense mechanisms are a part of the current vernacular, including addiction treatment. Therefore, understanding defense mechanisms is an important step in providing effective treatment. By Day 7 Submit a 2- to 4-page paper that includes the following: A brief description of two defense mechanisms from the Learning Resources An explanation of how each defense mechanism you chose might impact behavior A description of how each defense mechanism might affect treatment processes, and an explanation of why A description of which stage of change in treatment processes each defense mechanism might manifest in behavior

What is the research design used by the authors?

Discussion: Correlation and Bivariate Regression Whether in a scholarly or practitioner setting, good research and data analysis should have the benefit of peer feedback. For this Discussion, you will perform an article critique on correlation and bivariate regression. Be sure and remember that the goal is to obtain constructive feedback to improve the research and its interpretation, so please view this as an opportunity to learn from one another. To prepare for this Discussion: Review the Learning Resources and the media programs related to correlation and regression. Search for and select a quantitative article specific to your discipline and related to correlation or regression. Help with this task may be found in the Course guide and assignment help linked in this week’s Learning Resources. Also, you can use as guide the Research Design Alignment Table located in this week’s Learning Resources. By Day 3 Write a 3- to 5-paragraph critique of the article. In your critique, include responses to the following: What is the research design used by the authors? Why did the authors use correlation or bivariate regression? Do you think it’s the most appropriate choice? Why or why not? Did the authors display the data? Do the results stand alone? Why or why not? Did the authors report effect size?

Explain why you selected these individuals and/or teams and how they will support your success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

When was the last time you read Meditation XVII of John Donne’s Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions? Unless you are a student of seventeeth-century poetry, you may not be all that familiar with this piece. However, you may be much more familiar with one of its well-known phrases: “No man is an island…”. As you begin your journey toward achieving your academic and professional goals, you have a great opportunity to network with academics and professionals who can help ensure you do not travel alone. This network can help to clarify your own vision for success and can help guide you now and in the future. To paraphrase Donne, no one is an island. Begin creating an academic and professional network by identifying which academic and professional connections and resources with which you need to collaborate to succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse. To Prepare: Consider individuals, departments, teams, and/or resources within Walden University and within your profession that you believe can support your academic and professional success. Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals, colleagues, or teams that might help you succeed in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse. Download the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template. The Assignment: Academic and Professional Network Complete Part 1 of your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template. Be sure to address the following: Identify at least two academic and at least two professional individuals or teams to collaborate with to be successful in your MSN program and as a practicing nurse. Explain why you selected these individuals and/or teams and how they will support your success in the MSN program and as a practicing nurse.

Describe the inputs that are used in this company’s production function and identify any challenges to securing these inputs.

Managerial Decision Making Research and Analysis Focus of the Final Paper: Research a specific company of your choice and identify some of the managerial decisions that were made over time and in response to changes in its market or competitive environment. Use the Ashford University Library and web-based sources for your research. At least three external scholarly sources must be used in addition to the textbook.  Address all of the following areas: Describe the company and provide a brief history of its operations. Find or use graphs to illustrate its financial performance over the years. Describe any sources of risk or uncertainty in its operations. Do the financial reports indicate risky or uncertain activities or changes to the economic environment that ultimately appear to have affected the company’s financial outcomes? Be specific. Are there any government regulations that have affected this company’s operations domestically or abroad? Explain. Describe the inputs that are used in this company’s production function and identify any challenges to securing these inputs. Determine if the company has introduced new products in existing markets or created new markets over time. What is the impact on its finances? Determine if the price of its products increased or declined over time and analyze the reasons for price fluctuations. Study the demand elasticity for its products and discuss the availability of close substitutes for its products. How does that affect pricing decisions? Analyze the company’s profitability. Identify the economy or industry influences on its costs, operations, and profitability. Describe the competitive environment in which the firm operates, the distribution of market power, and the strategic behavior of the firm and its competitors. Apply your knowledge of the theory of this company’s market structure. How does the company make pricing and production decisions? Is your observation supported by the theoretical models? Refer to the financial reports for illustration.  Describe any non-price competitive strategies that the company might be engaging in. Provide specific examples. Evaluate if the company made any mistakes in its decisions over time, and recommend any changes or improvements for future operations.