Teaching and Learning in Statistics: Harnessing the power of modern statistical software to improve students statistical reasoning and thinking

The reproducibility crisis in science has launched global discussion about the need to restructure the way statistics is taught across a wide range of disciplines. While this need has been recognized and discussed in the academic community for many years, the impetus for educational reform of statistics was boosted by Ioannidis (2005), which resulted in a great deal of attention on issues regarding the inappropriate use of statistical reasoning. The availability of data across business and research has increased dramatically in recent years. This access to data has resulted in almost every member of society needing a skill set that allows them to think critically about the inferences that can validly be drawn to improve decisions based on data. One way of improving statistical literacy and thinking is through the identification and use of appropriate statistical software that will allow students, and other practitioners with basic training, access to modern statistical modeling techniques on a platform that allows them to focus on outcomes. A key component of using AutoStat for teaching statistical thinking is in alleviating the need for coding, which allows the instructors to focus on key concepts, questions and outcomes.