PREDICT 401 Assignment 1 V1 2015 02 08
Assignment #1
Daniel Case
INTRODUCTION
Abalone populations are an economic and recreational resource that is threatened by a variety of factors, which include pollution, disease, loss of habitat, predation, commercial harvesting, sport fishing, and illegal harvesting. As a result of the aforementioned factors, abalone populations have declined considerably, pushing some abalone species to the verge of extinction. To help curb over harvesting and better protect abalone populations, it is important for biologists to efficiently and quickly determine the age composition of a regional abalone population.
The purpose of this report is to examine the data from an observational study of abalone in Tanzania. The intent of the underlying abalone research was to identify a new method for predicting the age of a regional abalone population through physical measurements. Such a technique would significantly increase the speed and efficiency in which biologists could identify abalone age. Today, age is best determined by counting the number of shell rings via a microscope.
Unfortunately, the data from this study was unsuccessful. The researchers concluded that further information was required, such as weather patterns and geographic location, as both variables affect food availability. The content within this report will explore in further detail why the study was not successful by examining the statistical characteristics of key variables.
RESULTS
Summary of Data
To assess the abalone research data, a simple random sample of 500 observations were taken from the original abalone data file, which contained 4,141 observations. To begin, an initial summary table and matrix plot were constructed to assess the characteristics of the observational variables. Table 1.1, which is provided below, outlines the observational variables in further detail.
Upon an initial assessment of the data, the first thing that stood out was the size of the abalone measurements,
Daniel Case
INTRODUCTION
Abalone populations are an economic and recreational resource that is threatened by a variety of factors, which include pollution, disease, loss of habitat, predation, commercial harvesting, sport fishing, and illegal harvesting. As a result of the aforementioned factors, abalone populations have declined considerably, pushing some abalone species to the verge of extinction. To help curb over harvesting and better protect abalone populations, it is important for biologists to efficiently and quickly determine the age composition of a regional abalone population.
The purpose of this report is to examine the data from an observational study of abalone in Tanzania. The intent of the underlying abalone research was to identify a new method for predicting the age of a regional abalone population through physical measurements. Such a technique would significantly increase the speed and efficiency in which biologists could identify abalone age. Today, age is best determined by counting the number of shell rings via a microscope.
Unfortunately, the data from this study was unsuccessful. The researchers concluded that further information was required, such as weather patterns and geographic location, as both variables affect food availability. The content within this report will explore in further detail why the study was not successful by examining the statistical characteristics of key variables.
RESULTS
Summary of Data
To assess the abalone research data, a simple random sample of 500 observations were taken from the original abalone data file, which contained 4,141 observations. To begin, an initial summary table and matrix plot were constructed to assess the characteristics of the observational variables. Table 1.1, which is provided below, outlines the observational variables in further detail.
Upon an initial assessment of the data, the first thing that stood out was the size of the abalone measurements,