A Framework for Infusing Authentic Data Experiences Within Statistics Courses

TL;DR

This paper proposes a framework for integrating authentic data experiences into undergraduate statistics courses to enhance students' practical data skills and connect them with statistical concepts.

Contribution

It introduces a structured approach to embed real-world data work within courses, addressing a gap in traditional statistics education.

Findings

Enhanced student engagement with real data

Improved practical data skills among undergraduates

Strengthened connection between data handling and statistical analysis

Abstract

Working with complex data is one of the important updates to the 2014 ASA Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs in Statistical Science. Infusing 'authentic data experiences' within courses allow students opportunities to learn and practice data skills as they prepare a dataset for analysis. While more modest in scope than a senior-level culminating experience, authentic data experiences provide an opportunity to demonstrate connections between data skills and statistical skills. The result is more practice of data skills for undergraduate statisticians.