Johns Hopkins. Semester exams for statistics. Robert G. Deupree, 1937-1938

 

Following a brief chronology of the life and career of the Johns Hopkins political economy Ph.D. alumnus (1937) and lecturer on statistics in the department of political economy in 1937-38, Robert Gaston Deupree, this post contains the exam questions from his year-long undergraduate course in statistics.

Fun Fact.  His son, Robert Gaston Deupree, Jr. (b. 5 August 1946)  is a distinguished astrophysicist.

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Robert Gaston Deupree

1914. January 12. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Clarence Cecil and Edith (Gaston) Deupree. Father’s occupation “Banker” according to birth certificate.

1930. Graduated from Shortridge High School (Indianapolis).

1934. A.B. from Franklin College (Indiana).

1935. Employed in the Washington office of the National League of Wholesale Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Distributors.

1935. September 7. Married college sweetheart, Mildred Avery of Martinsville, Indiana in Washington, D.C.

1937. Ph.D. awarded by Johns Hopkins University. Dissertation: The wholesale marketing of fruits and vegetables in Baltimore (Johns Hopkins Studies in History and Political Science, Ser. LVII, No. 2).

1940. Employed by Baylor University (Waco-McLennan Texas) according to Selective Service Registration Card. Address in Silver Spring, Maryland.According to 1942 AEA list of members, associate professor.

1942. According to AEA list of members. Office of Price Administration, Chemical Branch.

1947. Joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee. Professor of statistics.

1963. Died November 12 after a brief illness at age 49 in Knoxville, Tennessee. At the time of his death he was the head of the University of Tennessee’s Department of General Business, College of Business Administration.

Sources:

• “Franklin Graduates Wed,” The Indianapolis Star (14 September 1935, p. 5).
• American Economic Association. 1942 List of Members.
• “R.G. Deupree, Doctor, Dies,” The Indianapolis Star (14 November 1963, p. 33).
• State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health. Certificate of Death for Robert Gaston Deupree, Sr.

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Course Description
Statistics, 1937-1938

2 C. Statistics. Mr. Deupree. Three hours weekly through the year. M., Tu., W., 10.30. Gilman Hall 314.

The first half of the course will include a brief history of statistics as a science, a discussion of the collection and presentation of statistical data, and a study of some simple tools of analysis.

During the second half-year various index numbers, such as those measuring the changes in wholesale prices, retail prices, cost of living, wages and production will be studied. Special attention will be given to the business cycle and the various statistical aids that have been developed for forecasting business conditions.

In order that the student may more clearly understand statistical methods, practical exercises are assigned to supplement the class-room discussions. This work will enable the student to become familiar with the principal sources of statistical information concerning economic and business problems.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 1 C or 2 C.

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End of semester examinations
Statistics, 1937-1938

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
MID-YEAR EXAMINATION
POLITICAL ECONOMY 2 C

Dr. Deupree

January 31, 1938

1. Why should students of the social sciences possess a knowledge of statistical method?
2. Name four men who contributed to the early development of Statistics and explain briefly how each contributed?
3. Outline the manner in which you would set about collecting data regarding the retail prices of coffee in Baltimore as of a particular day, for example, February 1, 1938.
4. (a) From the following information construct two decks of a ratio chart:

Log	1=0
Log	1.25= .096910
Log	1.75 = .243038
Log	2 = .301030
Log	3 = .477121

(b) Construct the supplementary scales to be used with this ratio chart. Explain how they are used.
(c) Plot on the chart:

1900	2.5
1905	4
1910	9
1915	45

5. (a) What are crude ratios? Why do they need to be refined?
   (b) From the following figures calculate the crude labor turnover rate of each factory. Then using Factory A as standard, refine the labor turnover rate of Factory B for the 2 factors, color and age.

	No. of workers	No. leaving employment
Factory A
Total	1,000	100
White 20-40	400	40
White 40+	300	9
Black 20-40	200	40
Black 40+	100	11
Factory B
Total	2,000	150
White 20-40	1,000	60
White 40+	700	42
Black 20-40	200	38
Black 40+	100	10

What do your results indicate?

6. Define an average. With very simple illustrations show how the arithmetic mean, median, and mode conform to your definition.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
FINAL EXAMINATION
IN
POLITICAL ECONOMY 2 C

Dr. Deupree

May 30, 1938
9 a.m.

1. Make a detailed outline for a chapter on Index Numbers for a statistics textbook.
2. Compare the process of analyzing a static series with that of analyzing a time series.
3. Define and indicate briefly the statistical uses of:
   1. Non-linear correlation
   2. Coefficient of skewness
   3. Deciles and Percentiles
   4. Symmetrical distribution
   5. Standard error of estimate
   6. Average deviation
   7. Probable error
   8. Net regression coefficients
   9. Multiple correlation
   10. Partial correlation
4. Correlate the following data by simple linear correlation:

X	Y
2	1
2	2
3	3
4	4
4	5

a. Construct a scatter diagram.
b. Find the predicting equation;
c. Calculate “r”.
d. Interpret your results.

Source: Johns Hopkins University, Eisenhower Library. Ferdinand Hamburger, Jr. Archives. Department of Political Economy. Curricular Materials. Series 6. Box 2. Folder “Department of Political Economy — Exams, 1936-1940”.

Image Source: Franklin College 1933 Yearbook portrait of Robert G. Deupree, colorized by Economics in the Rear-view Mirror.