Stat Labs

This book uses a model we have developed for teaching mathematical statistics through in depth case studies. Traditional statistics texts have many small numer ical examples in each chapter to illustrate a topic in statistical theory. Here, we instead make a case study the centerpiece of each chapter. The case studies, which we call labs, raise interesting scienti?c questions, and ?guring out how to answer a question is the starting point for developing statistical theory. The labs are substan tial exercises; they have nontrivial solutions that leave room for different analyses of the data. In addition to providing the framework and motivation for studying topics in mathematical statistics, the labs help students develop statistical thinking. We feel that this approach integrates theoretical and applied statistics in a way not commonly encountered in an undergraduate text. The Student The book is intended for a course in mathematical statistics for juniors and seniors. We assume that students have had one year of calculus, including Taylor series, and a course in probability. We do not assume students have experience with statistical software so we incorporate lessons into our course on how to use the software.