8/17/12

AGEC 4213—Class schedule and announcements

Important Dates and Remarks

(Updated December 6) Download grades by class ID here

December 11 (Tuesday), 2:00-3:50 in AGH 266—Final Exam (Study Guide). The exam requires these data, so download them and bring it with you to the final. Note some questions you can answer at home before the scheduled final exam.

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12/06

CLASS—

  • Discuss the final exam.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • December 11 (Tuesday), 2:00-3:50 in AGH 266—Final Exam (Study Guide). The exam requires these data, so download them and bring it with you to the final. Note some questions you can answer at home before the scheduled final exam.

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12/04

CLASS—

  • We will use the spreadsheet from last class (if you were absent please download these data) to extend our regression so that we can estimate the profit-maximizing number of days-on-feed for live-cattle. The idea is to show how Excel and regression can be combined to create valuable informational tools for businesses.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • The last class on Thursday will be devoted entirely to preparing you for the final. I will have a study guide posted by then, but my short description is as follows (reprinted from last class): the final examination will cover Pivot-Tables, correlations, cell protection, data validation, the VLOOKUP function, basic regression, and Excel Solver. This entails Homeworks 6, 7, and 8; the worksheet we created on 11/13 and 11/1; the use of regression to predict softball hitting distances;

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11/29

CLASS—

  • We will use these data to estimate a regression predicting the weight of cattle at various ages in the feedlot. This regression will then be incorporated into a tool for determining the profit-maximizing number of days-on-feed for feedlot cattle. Profits will then be maximized using both Excel Solver and calculus. I will ask you to take this worksheet we build in class today and add features to it for the final examination, so be sure to save the worksheet with your additions. We will use this worksheet in the next class also, so make sure you can open it during Tuesday's lecture.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • The final examination will cover Pivot-Tables, correlations, cell protection, data validation, the VLOOKUP function, basic regression, and Excel Solver. This entails Homeworks 6, 7, and 8; the worksheet we created on 11/13 and 11/1; the use of regression to predict softball hitting distances;

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11/27

CLASS—

  • We will use these data to estimate a regression predicting wine quality. We will graph the relationship between winter rainfall and wine quality (observed at the average values of growing season temperature and harvest rainfall), observe the marginal effect of each variable on wine quality, and use the SUMPRODUCT formula to generate quick predictions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Homework 8 (medium) is due at beginning of class on 11/29. The homework is available at the YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHojv1wXCQ. This video will give you each question. Type, on a text document, each question number and your answer. Type also your name and turn it in by hand on 11/29. The question types vary from multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

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11/13

CLASS—

  • We will use this worksheet to learn the VLOOKUP function, protecting cells, and data validation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • None.

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11/8

CLASS—

  • Optional class, where I will help anyone who needs help with Homeworks 6 or 7.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Notice that the due date for Homework 6 was postponed until November 13.

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11/6

CLASS—

  • Today I will look at everyone's survey for the second part of the second important email. We will also make the survey active, have a few students take the survey, and see if we can retrieve the data.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Your grades are updated and can be viewed (using your ID given to you earlier) here.
  • The answer key to Exam 2 can be downloaded here.
  •  Homework 6 is due at beginning of class, and requires the use of these data.

  • On 11/13 Homework 7 is due at beginning of class, and requires the use of these data.

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11/1

CLASS—

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

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10/25

CLASS—

  • Today we will review and master Pivot-Tables by covering the material in (AD.A.5) Averages and pivot-tables. On future homeworks you will be asked to use Pivot-Tables extensively, meaning you are responsible for being able to do everything in the Video within the article.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

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10/23

CLASS—

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Exam 2 Study Guide
  • I updated grades, including your grade for Important Email #1 (see top of this page).
  • Here is what I consider an ideal answer to Important Email #1.

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10/18

CLASS—

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • The next two classes will be devoted to helping you with Part B of Important Email #2.

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10/16

CLASS—

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Homework 5 (short homework) is due October 18 at beginning of class.
  • Exam 2 covering the material in (AD.A.3) When stochasticity does and doesn't matter (including materials given in class after Exam 1) will be held in class on October 30. It will probably be open-notes, where you may use any reference except another live person.
  • Beginning Thursday I will have each student work independently to create a survey measuring people's willingness to consume animal fats in response to concerns about the EC fats from vegetable oils. Students may use this survey I created to measure attitudes towards farm animal welfare as suggestions on what types of questions to ask. THIS SURVEY WILL COMPRISE PART 2 OF IMPORTANT EMAIL #2. IT WILL BE DUE OCTOBER 1, IN CLASS.
  • Creating this survey will require you to use the survey software at http://agecon.okstate.edu/survey/Login.asp, using the following identification: user = admin; password = admin.

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10/9

CLASS—

  • Download these data for use in class today.
  • The first 30 minutes will be dedicated to the teams to do whatever they like.
  • Then we will watch a video from (AD.A.3) to motivate discussions of sampling in surveys.
  • After that, be prepared to take notes on material covering sections (C.1) to (C.3) of (AD.A.3) When stochasticity does and doesn't matter .

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Any students (and I know who you are) who missed any class last week must do the following. Read all of section (B.1) in (AD.A.3) When stochasticity does and doesn't matter . Determine which of the examples is closest to the experiment your team designed last week. Write me a brief email (to bailey.norwood@gmail.com) describing why this particular example is closest to your team's design. One full or two short paragraphs should suffice, though it should be evident you read all of section (B.1). This is due the same time as Part 1 of Important Email 2.

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10/2

CLASS—
  • Today we will break into groups to work on Important Email #2, Part A.
  • After I have you read something, I want groups 1 and 2 to remain in the classroom, group 3 and 4 to meet in AGH 419, and group 5 to meet in AGH 408 (may have to meet in the stairwell until the class in 408 is over, I think at 4:00). I will come around to talk to everyone during the class. Sometime after class, I want the group leader to email me at my normal email address and let me know the group's progress and plans, and if they have any questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • I have updated the team assignments to indicate the group leader for this project.
  • Notice at the top of this page you can see your grades thus far in this class, using the class ID given to you on a printout last week.
  • On Thursday I want each group to meet in their assigned rooms. All of this week should be dedicated to identifying the specifics of the experiment.
  • The first part of class next Tuesday I will give you 30 minutes to write and polish your email for the Important Email #2, Part A. Then we will begin on Part B in class.

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9/27

CLASS—
  • Today we will take notes on sections (A.2) to (A.4) of article (AD.A.3) When stochasticity does and doesn't matter . This will lay the groundwork for a marketing experiment and a randomized-trial the teams will design, which will count either as some long homeworks, an Important Email, or even a test—I haven't decided. But it will count for something, and this is the kind of thing you can only really prepare for by attending and listening in class.
  • Go ahead and open this article and then download these data (which are used in and are linked to in the article).
  • There will be three handouts you need to get if you miss class.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Starting next class I wish you to sit with your assigned group of six people. The assignments are posted here. You will do a project with your team and your grade will depend on both your team's performance and your teammates' rating of you.
  • Important Email #1 is due October 5 by 5:00 PM. I haven't received any questions or comments about the instructions, so I will assume they are satisfactory.
  • Homework 4 is due today at the beginning of class.
  • Part 2 of Exam 2 must be turned in by tomorrow.

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9/20

CLASS—

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Important Email #1 is due October 5 by 5:00 PM. The instructions at this link are currently in draft form, thou
  • Homework 4 is due 9/25 at the beginning of class
  • Part 2 of Exam 2 must be turned in by September 27.

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9/18

CLASS—
  • Hit softballs on the Old Intramural Field (see map in 9/13 announcements)

ANNOUNCEMENTS— Homework 4 is due 9/25 at the beginning of class

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9/13

CLASS—
  • Take the second part of Exam 1

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Tuesday (September 18) we will hold class on the Old Intramural field, where we will hit softballs and measure how far each person hits and analyze the data in class. Students who attend will earn five extra percentage points on Exam 1. Please bring a glove if you have one. I need EVERYONE to hit, regardless of how well you can hit. In fact, if we don't get people who are both good and bad at hitting, our data analysis will not mean much. Foreign students who may have never played ball are also needed to become part of the data. If I must cancel the outing due to weather I will email the class. Unless you hear otherwise from me via email, assume we are hitting.

Directions to Old Intramural Field
(replace "play kickball" with "hit softballs")

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9/11

CLASS—
  • Discuss Homework 3 and the second part of Exam 1, to be given on Thursday.
  • Briefly discuss how to calculate your GPA, using the first part of this article.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • The information on Exam 1 is provided here.
  • Pay careful attention to the instructions regarding computers, calculators, and phones.

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9/4

CLASS—
  • Download these data to finish the histogram from this worksheet we began in last class.
  • Collect Homework 3.
  • Hand back Homework 1. Most of you did well. Only a few did very poorly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • The information on Exam 1 is provided here.
  • The second half of Exam 1 will be given on September 13, and will be a closed-note test on the material in articles (AD.A.1) and (AD.A.4).

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8/30

CLASS—
  • Download these data and complete this worksheet where you combine what you have learned about histograms and various Excel tools. This will probably be a tough worksheet at first, but after you are done it will seem quite simple. I want you to think hard about this assignment first before I answer any questions. You will learn better that way. After a while I will give you however much help you need though. I will never abandon you.
  • Because this is a rather large assignment I am devoting two class periods to it. If you complete it today, then you have 9/4 class free, where attendance is optional. You may want to spend this time studying for the first part of Exam 1 or reviewing the exercise on 8/28. The first part of Exam 1 will be based closely off this worksheet (though not identical) so take it seriously.
  • Collect Homework 2.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Remember Homework 3 is due the beginning of class on 9/4.
  • If you chose not to attend class on 8/28 you may view a YouTube tutorial on the Excel material we covered at this page.
  • Remember that you are responsible for understanding all the steps of creating a clear and attractive histogram, in addition to what we covered in class. All of these steps can be found at the YouTube tutorial in Video 3 of of (AD.A.4) Histograms and VaR.
  • Exam 1 will be given in two stages. The first half will be given on 9/6 with the opportunity to complete it at home, and will be an Excel exercise where you must organize data, use IF and/or AND functions (perhaps other functions we have learned, like MONTH), create a clear and attractive histogram, and make inferences about that histogram in the context of a historical simulation. It will be similar to the 8/30 worksheet, though not identical. You will have all of 9/6 to complete the exercise. If you do not finish you may complete the rest at home. However, I will document how much you accomplished on 9/6 and you will be given more points for accomplishing more on 9/6. You may use any material to help you: the online textbook, previous worksheets, previous Excel worksheets, the internet, anything except your classmates. Of course, I cannot stop you from working with each other at home after 9/6, so I will not try, which is why you are given more points for completing it on 9/6.
  • The second half of Exam 1 will be given on September 13, and will be a closed-note test on the material in articles (AD.A.1) and (AD.A.4).

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8/28

CLASS—Download these data and complete this worksheet on sorting data and making histograms. If you can do this worksheet on your own then attendance is optional. However, know that you will be given a very messy data to sort on Exam 1, and must understand the tools we use. Collect Homework 1.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—Homework 3 is due 9/4, and is a long homework. It will requires you to read (AD.A.4) Histograms and VaR and to download these data and these data .

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8/23

CLASS—Download these data and complete this worksheet on histograms, VaR, and insurance premia.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—

  • Homework 2 (short) is due the beginning of the class on August 30 and requires you to listen to this Planet Money podcast.
  • Remember Homework 1 is due by beginning of class on Tuesday. You may turn it in early by bringing it to my office (slide under door if it's not open). Above you may find the worksheet we will perform on Tuesday. If you want and are able to do this on your own, Tuesday attendance is optional (just check this page to see if I made any announcement). The worksheet might seem rather hard though.
  • At the online textbook I posted two Excel tutorial: (1) moving about, selecting data, and pasting data quickly and (2) adding the Analysis toolpak if it does not show under the Data tab in Excel.

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8/21

CLASS— Discuss syllabus , expectations and format of class, the value of college to you , and this worksheet which requires you to download these data

ANNOUNCEMENTS—Assigned Homework 1 (assigned 8/21, hard copy due beginning of class on 8/28).

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