Stochastic Visualization and the Internet: Research and Instructional Uses

Webster West

and

Tony Rossini

August 5, 1996

Outline:

  1. Statistics and the World Wide Web (WWW)

  2. Information types, Static vs. Dynamic

  3. Examples of Interactive Applets

  4. Future Possibilities

Statistics and the World Wide Web (WWW)

  • Statistical research and education have been greatly enhanced by the rapid advances in computer technology.

  • The growth of the WWW has added another tool by which computers can be used to improve the quality and availability of statistical research and education.

    • Research Information:

  • WWW Virtual Library: Statistics

  • StatLib

  • InterStat

  • Globally Accessible Statistical Procedures (GASP)

    • Educational Information:

    Internet Texts:

  • UCLA

  • Newcastle

  • Journal of Statistical Education

  • The Chance Database

  • Course Homepages. The World Lecture Hall is a starting point for finding class information.
  • Graphical Data Analysis
  • Introduction to Ideas of Statistics
  • Statistical Methods for Industry (Statistical Process Control)

    • Information types, Static vs. Dynamic

    Static information does not have the ability to respond to user interaction.

    Except for GASP, most statistics information currently available on the WWW is static.

    Apart from accessibility, the information does not possess any distinct advantages over a standard textbook or research paper.

    Even the animation which is possible with the WWW is static.

  • Density Estimation Example

  • Visualizing the AIDS epidemic

    • How do we make statistics information more dynamic?

    One way to accomplish this is through helper applications such as XLispStat, SAS, or Splus. Here is an XLispStat Example.

    The problem with this method is that it requires the user to have the helper application installed on their local machine. Also, some security problems can arise.

    With the development of the Java computing language, it is now possible to develop secure dynamic WWW applications which are platform independent.

    The user must only have access to a Java-capable WWW browser such as Netscape or HotJava.

    Examples of Interactive Applets

    Java applets for basic education:

  • A Regression Applet
  • A Confidence Interval Applet
  • A Histogram Applet
  • A Central Limit Theorem Applet
  • The Lets Make A Deal Applet

    • Java applets for research education:

  • An epidemic example
  • A survival analysis example

    • Future Possibilites

  • Dynamic Internet texts which allow students to develop a feel for statistics.
  • Interactive research procedures which allow for statistical computing over the WWW.

    • All we need to do is train statisticians how to use the WWW tools which are available.