|
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS Date Due: 5/8/2000
|
Instead of a final exam, I would like you to complete a
statistics final project. In this project you will apply your knowledge of
statistics to a specific question. The first thing you will need to do is find
a question to study. Look at p.704-706 in your textbook - here you will find
provided a number of questions that might interest you. Perhaps you have your
own question that you might like to answer also. You should be careful to
choose a question where you can use some of the techniques in the course. Good
questions for your level will involve Interval or Ratio level of measurements
(such as heights, weights, etc..). Avoid data that is ordinal (for example a
ranking of favored items). Nominal data is okay if your question depends refers
to proportions. It is not that the other type of data is bad, it is just that
we have not studied this material and therefore it would be difficult for you
to complete a project using these techniques.
Once you have a topic to study, you need to get data. The
best source for many items is the internet itself. Start with a search of your
topic area and work from there. I am happy to give you suggestions as to where
to find good data for your question.
You should present your final project as a typewritten
report. It must include the following information:
a.
The
original question your report wants to answer
b.
The
data or source of the data if it is on the internet
c.
Description
of your method of analysis.
d.
All
graphs and or statistics found - you should do some descriptive statistics to
see if your hypothesis is valid. Your question should involve a use of
inferential statistics
e.
A
statement of your conclusions in non-technical terms
f.
Reasons
why the results might be not be correct, along with a description of ways in
which the study could be improved if you were given more time or money.
Make sure you discuss the
validity of your data. Do you think it is biased in any way? Why? I strongly
encourage you to do a study which involves inferential statistics.
HOW TO GET STARTED:
1.
First
pick a topic - e-mail me with your topic by May 1, 2000
2.
Get
the data - this can be done on your own or just get some data out of a book or
the internet (preferred method)
3.
Do
your analysis
4.
Write
the report