Hello out there:
1) I recently ran across an advertisement in a current magazine for a health
related product that quoted the old finding that "apple shaped people were
more prone to coronary disease than pear shaped people." I was under the
impression that this finding was spurious and a reflection of the classic
"third variable" problem, the third variable being, in this case, sex
(men=apples; women= pears). Can someone confirm or deny this? I am about to
teach a class on stats for the health care professions, and think this would
be a good example of the problems with correlational research, if my
information about this is correct.
2) In my class with the most behaviorally unmanagable students this semester
(examples of this: reading for other classes, looking at photos, talking,
walking in 30+ minutes late) I felt my teaching style deteriorated (more
raising my voice, snapping, responding rudely to student questions.) Has
this happened to others? How did you help yourself to resist the pull of the
class "personality"?
3) What's the most coffee you've ever consumed in a 5 hour period? I bet I've
had more than you!
Seasoned greetings to all -
Nancy Melucci
Los Angeles Harbor College
