This disk contains selected data sets from Applied Statistics: Improving Business Processes by Bowerman and O'Connell.

This text file explains how the data sets are organized and labeled, how to use Notepad to delete variable names, how to import the data sets to Minitab 10.1 for Windows, and how to import the data sets to SAS. A quick-reference list of case studies and the location of the data file corresponding to each study concludes this file.

HOW THE DATA SETS ARE ORGANIZED AND LABELED

The data files are in ASCII format, with a DAT extension. There are directories on the disk referring to each chapter in the book called CHAP1, CHAP2,..., CHAP16. The files were placed in the directory corresponding to the chapter in which the data first appeared. If the data came from an exercise, the file is labeled EXzzz.DAT where zzz is the exercise number. For example, there is a data set given in chapter 11, exercise 50, so the file is in the directory CHAP11 and labeled EX50.DAT. If the data came from elsewhere in the chapter, the file is labeled for the context of the problem. For example, there is a data set in chapter 14 referring to the Calculator Sales Case, so the file is in the directory CHAP14 and is labeled CALCSALE.DAT.

Data originally given in words were numerically coded for the file. All codes can be easily matched up with the original data and are in the same order as given in the book. In addition, Chapter 10 subgroups are found vertically in the first column. Also, some values found in the files SALETERR and EX7 from Chapter 11 have been rounded.

HOW TO USE NOTEPAD TO DELETE VARIABLE NAMES AND/OR MODIFY THE DATA

The data are given in columns, with the variable name at the top of each column. If variable names are not needed and only the numerical values are desired, one can open the data file through Notepad in Windows. Simply open Notepad through Accessories, use the drop-down menus file and open, change the drive to a: (or one's disk drive), and select the appropriate file. By simply deleting the first line containing the variable names and saving the file under a different name with a DAT extension, one can have the data file containing only the numeric values. The file may also be edited as needed. This can be accomplished similarly in Minitab (see below). It should be noted that the variable names may slide slightly to the right when opening the data files through Notepad.

HOW TO IMPORT THE DATA FILE TO MINITAB 10.1 FOR WINDOWS

After entering Minitab for Windows and inserting the data disk, one can use the drop-down menu commands
File
Other Files
Import ASCII Data
to open the data file. It will say "Store Data in Column(s)", so type in the column names, such as C1-C6 for six columns of data. Then click on Format. If no variable names are desired, type 1 where it says "Skip First (blank) Lines of Data". If variable names are desired, click on the "Tab Delimited" box and the "Column Names in First Row" box. Then simply change the drive to a: (or one's disk drive) and select the appropriate file. The variable names will appear correctly in the first row with the data below.

HOW TO IMPORT THE DATA FILE TO SAS

One should delete the variable names through Notepad or Minitab for Windows prior to using SAS.

If one is using a PC version of SAS and has inserted the data disk, the command
INFILE "A:FILENAME";
where A is the disk drive being used and FILENAME is the name of the data file may be used in the SAS program. Place this command before the INPUT statement and do not use the CARDS command.

If one is using a mainframe version of SAS, the data file must first be transferred to the mainframe account using the appropriate software. Then the command INFILE along with specific system commands may be used. For example, if a VM/CMS operating system is used, the SAS program may begin CMS FILEDEF zzz DISK filename filetype filemode;
DATA;
INFILE zzz;
INPUT v1 v2 v3;
where zzz is a later reference for the disk file and v1, v2, and v3 are variable names (more or less of these may be needed based upon the number of variables within the data set). The CARDS command is not needed. The commands used in the SAS program will depend on the operating system used, so it is best if one consults his/her professor.

CASE STUDY Accounts Receivable Marketing Research Bank Customer Waiting Time Trash Bag Cigarette Advertisement Fresh Detergent AccuRatings Treatment Time Catalyst Comparison Hole Location Hot Chocolate Temperature Fuel Consumption Sales Territory Performance Hospital Labor Needs Construction Profit Crest Toothpaste Sales Pork Belly NARHS Cod Catch Calculator Sales Lumber Production Traveler's Rest Tasty Cola Gasoline Mileage Shelf Display Defective Cardboard Box

DATA FILE LOCATION AND NAME Chapter 1, PAYTIME Chapter 1, DESIGN Chapter 1, EX10 Chapter 1, EX24 Chapter 2, EX11 Chapter 2, FRESH Chapter 3, ACCURATE Chapter 5, ALLERGY Chapter 8, CATALYST Chapter 10, HOLELOCA Chapter 10, HOTCHOC Chapter 11, FUELCONS Chapter 11, SALETERR Chapter 11, EX7 Chapter 12, EX7 Chapter 12, EX8 Chapter 13, EX6 Chapter 13, NARHS Chapter 14, CODCATCH Chapter 14, CALCSALE Chapter 14, EX11 Chapter 14, TRAVELER Chapter 14, TASTYCOL Chapter 15, MILEAGE Chapter 15, EX23 Chapter 15, BOX

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