In  this section you will expand your project to include your actual data  set, descriptive statistics for your quantitative variables, and a  discussion of your results so far. 

Your project should be submitted as a professional report  including everything from Part 1 and 2 using the following template.  If  you did not do Part 1: you must obtain approval from your instructor on  your variables before collecting data.  If Part 1 is missing, you will  still lose completeness points.

The description in italics indicates the information required in each section.

(Part 1 of your project here)

Sampling Method

Based on the population identified in Part 1, describe an appropriate sampling technique to use for collecting data.  Discuss how your participants will be identified/contacted;  when and where will  your study take place?   For example, I might want to use a sample  stratified by gender when looking at the relationship between study  hours and GPA.  To acquire my random sample within each strata, I might  use a systematic sampling technique where I ask every 10th female or male entering RCF to participate.

NOTE: Ideally every study would have a very carefully designed sampling method where every  person in the population is equally likely to be in the sample.   Unfortunately, we have a limited budget and timeline for our classroom  projects.  There are still weaknesses in my example above that would  needed to be raised in the discussion of my results (see below).

Data

Collect your own data set using  your survey and following the plan you set out in part 1. You should  have at least 20 cases (subjects). 

In order to satisfy good ethical  practices, if you plan to survey human subjects, it is essential that  they consent to being surveyed and that their information is protected.   Please do not pressure anyone to participate and please keep identities  confidential.

Participant

Variable 1:(insert var name here)

Variable 2:(insert var name here)

 
1

enter data 

…

2

…

…  

…
…  
…

Descriptive Statistics for

Briefly introduce your variable and report the summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, 5-number summary and IQR). 

Create both a histogram and  modified boxplot for variable 1. You can choose what technology to use,  but it must look professional (hand drawn histograms or boxplots will  receive no credit).  Indicate what technology was used and a brief  description of the process.  

Use the histograms and boxplots to describe the distribution.  Discuss the shape (modality,  symmetry/skew) and unusual features of your data.  For the boxplot  report the fences and any outliers, sharing the formula/calculations  used.  

Compare the mean and median, discussing whether the mean or median is a better measure of center and explain why.  Compare the standard deviation and IQR, discussing which is the better measure of spread. Explain why.  

Descriptive Statistics for

Briefly introduce your variable and report the summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, 5-number summary and IQR). 

Create both a histogram and  modified boxplot for variable 2. You can choose what technology to use,  but it must look professional (hand drawn histograms or boxplots will  receive no credit).  Indicate what technology was used and a brief  description of the process.  

Use the histograms and boxplots to describe the distribution.  Discuss the shape (modality,  symmetry/skew) and unusual features of your data.  For the boxplot  report the fences and any outliers, sharing the formula/calculations  used.  

Compare the mean and median, discussing whether the mean or median is a better measure of center and explain why.  Compare the standard deviation and IQR, discussing which is the better measure of spread. Explain why.   

Discussion

Based on the analysis above,  discuss at least 2 interesting results from your analysis.  For example,  when looking at data about the hours students study, I might be  surprised at the variation among students and discuss how this is  demonstrated by the measures of spread found.

Ideally every study would have a  very carefully designed sampling method where every person in the  population is equally likely to be in the sample.  Unfortunately, we  have a limited budget and timeline for our classroom projects .  Review  the sampling method you used and discuss what limitations you see with  your research, including sources of bias or other problems that might  limit how well your research generalizes to the greater population (for  example, if my survey on study hours and GPA was taken on campus between  2pm and 3pm, few night students are likely to be included).

Upon completion of the template, submit your project via the Canvas link as a PDF or Word file.

GENERAL INSTRUCTION REMINDER

General Instruction Reminder:  In this project you  are asked to conduct your own research into two variables that interest  you.  This project will give you an opportunity to apply the skills and  techniques you learn in this class and to produce a professional report  using appropriate technology.  This is a MAJOR, on-going assignment and  is worth 15% of your grade; the equivalent of one unit exam grade.

Your projects will be graded in stages (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) according to the attached rubrics.   

To be successful on your project you must:

• Read and follow instructions carefully.
• Work according to the timeline provided and submit work on time. 

  10% will be deducted for each calendar day the project is submitted  after the due date. A project is considered “submitted” when it is  available for the professor to view on Canvas.  No credit is given after  5 days late. 
  Students who fail to submit earlier parts of the project may still  submit later parts of the project as long as their topic has been  approved by their instructor and as long as they collect their own data.  Points will still be taken away for lack of completeness unless those  prior sections are completed and included.

• Write clearly, using appropriate terminology and accurate  mathematical notation. College-level writing is expected, as is the use  of correct grammar. 

  .

• Submit a neat, professional report typed using your choice of word  processing software (including a mathematical notation package) and  including printouts and diagrams from your choice of statistical  software/technology. 

  In particular, embedded graphs or charts and/or computer printouts  will be expected as part of the report. Hand-drawn graphs are not  acceptable.
  Please note: Excel should be used only with caution as it does not consistently follow accepted statistical practices.

• Original work is expected. This means that students who are  repeating the course are expected to create an entirely new project  using two new variables of interest.
• Getting help: 

  For this project, you may consult any resource (including your  instructor, tutors (LAC, HR230), classmates, or the internet) for  general help and advice provided that your write-up (computations,  explanations, and embedded diagrams) are your own work.
  For example, you might watch a YouTube video on how to use  StatCrunch or have a peer show you how to create a histogram using a  different dataset (not the one in your project), then try it yourself  with your dataset. You might consult your textbook or your instructor  about a concept, but then put the explanation into your own words.

• Submission guidelines: 

  You should submit your project via the Canvas link as a PDF or Word file.
  VeriCite will be used as a deterrent to plagiarism. This program is  integrated into the Canvas submission process.  All submissions will be  compared against the VeriCite database and receive an “originality”  rating. 
  To earn the maximum score on this project, it is expected that  students go “above and beyond” the minimum expectations of the project.

Grading

Rubric

:  Part 2 will be graded by components  according to the rubric below with comments provided to students.  Instructors may chose a midpoint value on the rubric if work is  approaching but not at the next level.

 
Rubric

 Project Part 2 Rubric (1)      Project Part 2 Rubric (1)     Criteria Ratings        Pts              This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Inclusion of Part I and Sampling Technique 4 Criteria:  Part I included;  Sample technique is appropriate to the research problem;  Data collection method is clearly and appropriately described (how, when, where); All ethical issues are appropriately addressed.             4.0                    pts                  All of the 4 criteria identified are completed clearly and professionally.          3.0                    pts                  Of the 4 criteria identified at least 3 of the components are completed clearly.          2.0                    pts                  Of the 4 criteria identified at least 2 of the components are completed clearly.          1.0                    pts                  Of the 4 criteria identified at least 1 of the components is completed clearly          0.0                    pts                  No submission, submission is plagiarized, or submission does not match assignment.          4.0 pts
         This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Data Collection 2 Criteria:  Data is Complete/Readable; and Data matches proposal.             3.0                    pts                  Both Criteria are clearly met:  Data provided are complete (20+ cases), and appropriate to the research proposal from Part I.          2.0                    pts                  Data are incomplete or poorly organized.          1.0                    pts                  Data are included but does not match proposal.          0.0                    pts                  No submission, no criteria were met, or data was not collected appropriately (original, independently collected survey data).          3.0 pts
         This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Descriptive statistics for Variable 1 8 Criteria:  Summary statistics are accurate and clearly defined; Histogram is correct, clearly labeled and professional in appearance;  Boxplot is correct, clearly labeled and professional in appearance; Fences and outliers are accurate and clearly explained; The written description of the distribution is accurate and incorporates references to the figures; The best measure of center is correctly identified and justified; The best measure of spread is correctly identified and justified; and The presentation of ideas is well-written and organized.             16.0                    pts                  All of the 8 criteria identified are completed clearly and professionally.          12.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified, at least 6 of the components are completed.          8.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified at least 4 of the components are completed.          4.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified at least 2 of the components are completed.          0.0                    pts                  No submission, submission is plagiarized, or submission does not match assignment.          16.0 pts
         This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Descriptive statistics for Variable 2 8 Criteria:  Summary statistics are accurate and clearly defined; Histogram is correct, clearly labeled and professional in appearance;  Boxplot is correct, clearly labeled and professional in appearance; Fences and outliers are accurate and clearly explained; The written description of the distribution is accurate and incorporates references to the figures; The best measure of center is correctly identified and justified; The best measure of spread is correctly identified and justified; and The presentation of ideas is well-written and organized.             16.0                    pts                  All of the 8 criteria identified are completed clearly and professionally.          12.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified, at least 6 of the components are completed.          8.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified at least 4 of the components are completed.          4.0                    pts                  Of the 8 criteria identified at least 2 of the components are completed.          0.0                    pts                  No submission, submission is plagiarized, or submission does not match assignment.          16.0 pts
         This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Discussion 3 Criteria:   Discussion of first non-trivial result that is well-supported by the  data analysis;  Discussion of second non-trivial result that is well-supported by the  data analysis;  Comprehensive of review of sampling technique that  addresses possible  concerns such as design whether the design might limit access to  responses from some members of the population.             4.0                    pts                  All of  the 3 criteria identified are completed clearly and professionally. The  discussion has some depth and reasonable transitions and connections  between ideas          3.0                    pts                  All of the 3 criteria identified are completed but the discussion is disjointed or disorganized.          2.0                    pts                  Of the 3 criteria identified only two are completed clearly.          1.0                    pts                  Of the 3 criteria identified one is completed clearly.          0.0                    pts                  No submission, submission is plagiarized, or submission does not match assignment.          4.0 pts
         This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Effective Use of Technology              2.0                    pts                  Appropriate  technologies selected and used to yield outstanding results in creating  graphs, tables, and equations, demonstrating effective command of each  of the tools          1.0                    pts                  Some  appropriate technologies used  to complete project tasks in a manner  sufficient to meet project goals, demonstrating proficiency with some  tools.          0.0                    pts                  Typically, poor choices made in how to use technology to support project requirements.          2.0 pts