TEACHING ELEMENTARY BAYESIAN STATISTICS WITH REAL APPLICATIONS IN SCIENCE

University courses in elementary statistics are usually taught from a frequentist perspective. In this paper I suggest how such courses can be taught using a Bayesian approach, and I indicate why beginning stud ents are well served by a Bayesian course. A principal focus of any go od elementary course is the application of statistics to real and impo rtant scientific problems. The Bayesian approach fits neatly with a sc ientific focus. Bayesians take a larger view, and one not limited to d ata analysis. In particular, the Bayesian approach is subjective, and requires assessing prior probabilities. This requirement forces users to relate current experimental evidence to other available information -including previous experiments of a related nature, where ''related'' is judged subjectively. I discuss difficulties faced by instructors a nd students in elementary Bayesian courses, and provide a sample sylla bus for an elementary Bayesian course.