Statistics diaries

Abstract

Personal diaries typically contain many of the most important things in our lives. These are private reflections, and it can be hard to write down these things even to ourselves, let alone to share to others. In contrast, statistical topics are usually less private. Indeed, even when a topic is highly personal, a statistical framing can provide some comfortable emotional distance. This chapter provides examples of how to incorporate the use of statistics diaries into a course. It includes excerpts from students’ diaries, and shows how they can make each student come to life. We have experience using diaries for classes on statistical communication and graphics and on the design and analysis of sample surveys.