MATH220 Statistics Project –
Goals:
1. To collect, organize, display, and summarize a set of data in order to describe and make
conclusions regarding what the data shows about individuals from which the data was
collected.
Optionally
, students can disaggregate the data, create displays and summaries
of subgroups, and compare / contrast the subgroups to uncover hidden facts from the data.
2. To apply principles and procedures of an inference test to a real-world application.
Details and Deadlines
:
Week 1
Decide on an accessible population to target (of at least 300 individuals). Also
(due Day
decide on one quantitative variable (real or interval level) and one qualitative
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variable (which should have 2-5 categories) to study. Write in complete sentences
CANVAS)
and explain why you chose this population and this set of variables.
Ex.
The population to be studied is adults with diabetes. The quantitative variable
will be the person’s age and the qualitative variable will be their race (using
categories of Caucasian, Person of Color, Hispanic, Asian, Other).
Ex.
The population to be studied will be employees in a large company. The
quantitative variable will be the commuting time (in minutes) for the employee
and the qualitative variable will be their type of vehicle (using categories of
compact car, mid/large sized sedan, SUV/van, truck, or motorcycle).
Week 2
Develop plans to collect values for the two study variables from 30-50 individuals
(due Day
from the target population, chosen so that, ideally, the sample is representative of
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the population. Explain and discuss your sampling methodology.
CANVAS)
Ex.
Suppose the population is college students in the Atlanta area, and your
variables are their score on a mathematics attitude survey and their race. So, to
collect the data, you intend to call up five colleges in the Atlanta area and ask the
college officials if they will help you contact 10 randomly chosen students to take
the survey, hoping that at least three of the schools will allow you to do so. For
the race variable, you include a question to ascertain their race listing the choices.
Weeks 3-5
Collect data according to your plan for sampling, discussing any difficulties in
(due Day
data collection. For the quantitative variable, follow procedures discussed in class
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and in class notes to produce a frequency table with appropriately-chosen classes
CANVAS)
(intervals) and histogram. Discuss the shape of the distribution of the quantitative
variable and any irregularities. Also, calculate summary statistics (measures of
center and measures of variation) and include these in your data description.
Optionally,
if you have 50 individuals, disaggregate individuals into 2-5 groups
according to the qualitative variable, and then produce histograms and summary
statistics for the groups separately. Contrast these groups using the histograms and
statistics, discussing possible reasons for differences.
Week 6
From the internet or established source, locate a population parameter which can
(due Day
be used to compare one of your sample statistics with this population parameter.
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[Alternatively, you can compare the quantitative variable between two groups,
CANVAS)
divided according to the qualitative variable, as long as each group has at least 20
individuals.] Determine a hypothesis (inference) test that would be appropriate to
compare the above-mentioned quantities, then write proper null and alternative
hypotheses. Explain why you believe the test chosen would be appropriate.
Week 7
Write a rough draft of your hypothesis test, including all aspects (use the outline
(due Day
from the template used in class notes). The professor will give feedback to you
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before the final draft is due on the last day of class, to help ensure that you have
CANVAS)
all aspects correct.
Week 8
Produce a final project report (paper) using the following outline:
(due last day
of class in
I. Background and Introduction to the Data
(including identification of
CANVAS)
the population and study variables)
II. Data Collection and Sampling Methodology
Explain the procedures used to choose your sample, obtain the data, and
any issues encountered in this process. Also, comment on the extent that
you believe the sample represents the population.
III. Data Analysis and Visualization
Describe the data collected in the sample, including a frequency table,
histogram, and summary statistics used to create this description. If you
did the optional segment, include this analysis in this section as well.
IV. Inference Test
A. Research Question, Hypothesis, and Level of Significance (include
the population parameter to be compared and its source).
B. Type of Inference Test and Required Conditions
Explain why the chosen test was used and show that conditions for this
test have been met or explain why there is an issue with a condition.
C. Equations and Calculations (of the test statistic and p-value of the test)
D. Statistical Decision and Conclusion in the Context of the Research
Question
V. Summary of Findings and Comments
