Abstract:

The objective of this study is to update the way of working in class. For this purpose, we design materials that facilitate and make statistical learning more attractive in an introductory statistics course for undergraduate students of the University of Almeria (Spain). The program of the course includes themes about descriptive statistics, probability, random variables, probability distributions and parametric inference. By means of this practical work method, the student converts complex concepts into others that are more intuitive and simple. In a sample of different individuals, a statistical investigation on the health status of male workers in a company is analyzed. Workers perform high physical requirement work.

The methodology used is based on visual presentations of research results. It is primarily a more active technique to involve students in the learning process. Graphics and tables of various styles are a powerful tool for communicating information and for summarizing it efficiently. All results are analyzed using statistical models appropriate to the experimental design.

In order to determine individuals’ perceptions, we carried out a survey on the health status of these workers, describing the relationships between the different measured variables. We evaluated the study of both quantitative and qualitative variables and the selection of an appropriate statistical test. The software used for the statistical analysis of this practical study is the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Lastly, all conclusions and results of this practical case are explained to students. Variables, such as, “Age”, “How long have you had pain?”, “Have you suffered any injuries at your workplace?” or “Years of work”, relate to the matter of study.

This proposed methodology has improved the performances of students and it has promoted their interest in the applied statistical methods. We have changed from a conventional lesson format to strategies to stimulate the students in the learning statistics. In this way, students develop their ability to interpret results from everyday life.

Keywords:

Methodology, Innovation, Statistical package.