Section 1 Getting Started

1.1 Before our First Class

Most of you have already accessed the pre-class website. Once class begins, that will no longer be relevant, and will be replaced by our main course website and (among other things) this Syllabus. If you’re seeing this before class starts on 2021-08-24, then make sure that you:

  1. Register and enroll in the course via the CWRU Student Information System (SIS).
    • Note that PQHS 431, CRSP 431 and MPHP 431 are all identical.
  2. Review the pre-class website closely. The most important needs initially are completing the Welcome to 431 survey, obtaining the books you’ll need, and the software you’ll need to install.
  3. Review CWRU’s Knowledge Base for Zoom to ensure you can join office hours (once they begin) through your CWRU Zoom account.

1.2 What Do I Need To Buy?

You need to buy a book, specifically David Spiegelhalter’s The Art of Statistics, which was first published by Penguin in March 2019 (and February 2020) in the UK and then by Basic Books in the US in September 2019. You can purchase any of the available versions (hard-cover, paperback or e-reader) online or in your local bookstore for about $20.

Everything else is free, and is described in detail in the rest of this syllabus or on the course website.

1.3 “Welcome to 431” Survey

Many of you will complete this before class begins, but if you haven’t, please fill out the Welcome to 431 Survey at https://bit.ly/431-2021-welcome-survey to help us get to know you a little better.

  • Note that you must log into Google via your CWRU account in order to access the survey.
  • The survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete, and we encourage you to complete it as soon as you can.