Statistics MAT308 - Project assignment

Structured External Assignment

MAT308/MAT312 Statistics

Purpose: The Structured External Assignment serves to document your understanding of the

course material. Understanding how to apply inferential statistics is a cornerstone of this course.

Process:

Each part of the process MUST be completed PRIOR to completing the next part of the

process.

1. Topic Approval, Date Due: Week 4

“A statistical study seeks to answer some question.” (Warren, Denley & Atchley, 2014, p. 19). Each

student will select a unique question that they would like to answer. Each question will be answered by

collecting, organizing and analyzing data using methods learned in this class, specifically, linear regression

or hypothesis testing must be used. That question may pertain to personal interests or career. Projects

may not have duplicate topics. Project topics will be approved in the order the instructor receives them in

his or her WilmU instructor’s email account. The following list is meant to stimulate ideas. These topics

may not be used by students.

Sample ideas:

1. Does the number of customers waiting in line depend on day? (Chi-square test. Chp 10)

2. Does a specific method of learning improve grades? (Hypothesis test for mean. Chp 10)

3. Does the wait time at one traffic light vary significantly from the standard wait time? (Hypothesis

test for variation, Chp 10)

4. Does summer training reduce fall sports injuries? (Compare proportions between two sets of data.

Chp 11)

5. Does the level of education earned affect money earned? (Regression analysis with r-value. Chp

12)

2. Written Project Proposal: Date due: Week 7

Each student will provide a written, typed project proposal to the instructor. In this proposal, state the

following:

1. your research question,

2. your methods for collecting data, specify your method of sampling,

3. your methods for displaying your data, specify the graphs you will use.

4. your method of analyzing data, such as linear regression or hypothesis test.

Proposals must be resubmitted to improve grade if “exemplary status” was not achieved.

Grading Scale for Project Proposal:

Exemplary 9-10 Accomplished 6-8 Developing 3-5 Beginning 0-2

All clearly stated:

question, method for

collecting data, method

for organizing data into

graphs/charts, method of

analysis.

All addressed, but may be

vague: question, method for collecting data,

method for organizing

data into graphs/charts,

method of analysis.

One area not discussed:

question, method for

collecting data, method

for organizing data into

graphs/charts, method of

analysis.

Two or three areas not

discussed: question,

method for collecting

data, method for

organizing data into

graphs/charts, method of

analysis.

3. Data Collection and Graph: Date due: Week 12

Rules for data and graph:

1. Data must be publicly available, or, you must have permission in writing to share that data publicly.

Sources must be provided. You must be able to calculate the mean, the standard deviation, a

proportion or perform linear regression from the data. Do not simply use descriptive statistics

calculated by someone else in their study.

2. Data must be unbiased, particularly if you are collecting it. Data collection techniques must be

provided.

3. No experiments on humans or animals are permitted.

4. You may display your data as circle graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, histograms, or another graph

appropriate for your data.

Grading Scale for Data Collection:

Exemplary 9-10 Accomplished 6-8 Developing 3-5 Beginning 0-2

Data is clearly labeled,

source is provided and

valid. Graph is

well-labeled and accurate

displays data.

Labeling for data and/or

graphs needs clarification,

but source is provided and

valid.

Data is vague and/or

inaccuracies in graph, but

source is provided and

valid.

Data is vague and/or

inaccuracies in graph, and

source is not provided

and/or not valid.

Products:

4. Written Report. MLA or APA Format.

a. Introduction: ¼ to ½ page in length. In an interesting manner, describe why you chose your

question and why it is relevant. State the population and variables involved. This is a great

place to research journals and websites to determine what others have determined about your

topic, similar to a literature review, to help establish a rationale for your project.

b. Body of Report:

1. Data Collection: Explain how you gathered your data in detail. What was your

sampling method? Where did you obtain your data? What additional resources did

you explore for information on your chosen topic? Did you ask an expert in the field?

Did you reference a book or encyclopedia? Did you use the internet? How did you

avoid bias? Document these sources properly.

2. Data Organization: Organize your data in attractive graphs/charts. Select types of

graphs/charts that make your process and conclusions clear. Label your graphs

appropriately. Do NOT simply use a graph provided on a website. Make your own

graph.

3. Data Analysis: Provide the actual data in your report. Show your calculations for

descriptive statistics. Perform hypothesis tests or regression analysis. Assume a

level of significance of 0.05. Clearly and concisely explain your methods.

4. Conclusions: Did the data support or contradict your question? Do you have any

unanswered questions?

c. Bibliography: Minimum of three references. One reference may be your text. You must

provide a legitimate source for online data.

Written report MAY NOT BE RESUBMITTED.

Note: Written report must be submitted to Safe Assign in Blackboard for analysis for

plagiarism.

The Rubric for Written Report is given on next page.

Rubric for Written Report:

Category Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning Points

Earned Question

relevance

(10 points)

Question and its

relevance thoroughly

stated.

Question and its

relevance stated.

Question stated.

Relevance is vaguely

stated.

Question stated. No

relevance.

Data

Description (10 points)

Population and

variables thoroughly

defined. Proper

terminology used.

Population and

variables defined.

Either population or

variables not clearly

defined.

Population and

variables not clearly

defined.

Data

Collection

Methods

(10 points)

Methods for collection

and/or sources provided

in detail. Proper

terminology used.

Means for avoiding

bias discussed.

Methods for collection

and/or sources

provided. Did not

address bias.

Methods for collection

and/or sources

provided, but are

vague. Did not discuss

bias.

Methods for collection

and/or sources are

poorly addressed or

missing.

Data Organization

(20 points)

Data skillfully

converted into

well-labeled tables and

graphs that accurately

revealed the

relationships among

variables. Excellent

attention to detail.

(Original data is

provided.)

Data converted into

well-labeled tables and

graphs that accurately

revealed the

relationships among

variables. (Original

data is provided.)

Data converted into

tables and graphs that

revealed the

relationships among

variables. (Original

data is provided.)

Data converted into

tables and graphs that

are partially labeled and

may contain errors.

Or, graphs simply

copied from website.

Data Analysis

(20 points)

Accurate descriptive

statistics provided.

Hypothesis tests

included accurate

hypotheses, critical

values and calculations.

Regression analysis

included accurate linear

equations and

predictions, correlation

coefficients and

significance. For either

situation, conclusion is

stated in context.

Accurate descriptive

statistics provided.

Hypothesis tests

included hypotheses,

critical values and

calculations.

Regression analysis

included linear

equations and

correlation coefficients.

Minimal errors.

Descriptive statistics

provided. Hypothesis

tests included

hypotheses, critical

values and calculations.

Regression analysis

included linear

equations and

correlation coefficients.

Errors and/or missing

pieces of information.

Quantitative analysis of

data provided

descriptive and

inferential statistics that

were inaccurate and

inappropriate.

Conclusions (20 points)

Thoughtful judgments

and qualified

conclusions logically

flowed from work. Excellent attention to

detail.

Logical judgments and

conclusions were made,

but were vague.

Judgments and

conclusions were made,

but unclear as to how

they related to the work

provided.

Judgments and

conclusions were

inaccurate.

Word Flow

(5 points)

Exceptionally

well-written with

attention to readability,

spelling and grammar.

Well-written with

attention to readability

and spelling. Contains

grammatical errors.

Report is readable, but

contains some grammar

and spelling errors.

Report is not readable

and contains numerous

grammar and spelling

errors.

Resources

(5 points)

Bibliography contained

3 sources in proper

format

Bibliography contained

3 sources.

Bibliography contained

less than 3 sources.

No sources were

provided.

Total Points

(100 points)

5. Power Point Presentation.

Your power point presentation should be a brief summary that includes the question you are

researching, how you conducted your research, a graphical display of your data, the analysis of

your data and your conclusions. Your presentation must be 4 to 7 minutes. Practice your

presentation to be able to present in this amount of time. Presentation MAY NOT BE

RESUBMITTED.

Category Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning

Organization

5 points max

Information presented in

logical, interesting

sequence.

Information in logical

sequence.

Difficult to follow

presentation - student

jumps around.

Cannot

understand

presentation -

no sequence of

information.

Screen Design

5 points max

Includes a variety of

graphics, text, good color

choices and animation

that exhibits a sense of

wholeness.

Includes a variety of

graphics, text, and good

color choices.

Includes combinations

of graphics and text,

but difficult to read.

Either

confusing or

cluttered,

barren or stark.

Oral Presentation

Elocution/Eye

Contact

5 points max

Maintains eye contact and

pronounces all terms

precisely. All audience

members can hear.

Maintains eye contact

most of the time and

pronounces most words

correctly. Most audience

members can hear

presentation.

Occasionally uses eye

contact, mostly

reading presentation.

Audience members

have difficulty

hearing.

Reads with no

eye contact and

incorrectly

pronounces

terms. Speaks

too quietly.

Data Organization

10 points

Data skillfully converted

into well-labeled tables

and graphs that accurately

revealed the relationships

among variables.

Excellent attention to

detail. (Original data is

provided.)

Data converted into

well-labeled tables and

graphs that accurately

revealed the relationships

among variables.

(Original data is

provided.)

Data converted into

tables and graphs that

revealed the

relationships among

variables. (Original

data is provided.)

Data converted

into tables and

graphs that are

partially

labeled and

may contain

errors. Or,

graphs simply

copied from

website.

Data Analysis

15 points

Accurate descriptive

statistics provided.

Hypothesis tests included

accurate hypotheses,

critical values and

calculations. Regression

analysis included accurate

linear equations and

correlation coefficients.

Demonstrated thorough

understanding of analysis

used in context.

Accurate descriptive

statistics provided.

Hypothesis tests included

hypotheses, critical values

and calculations.

Regression analysis

included linear equations

and correlation

coefficients. Minimal

errors. Demonstrated

sufficient understanding

of analysis used.

Errors and/or missing

pieces of information.

Demonstrated

insufficient

understanding of

analysis used.

Quantitative

analysis of

data provided

descriptive and

inferential

statistics that

were

inaccurate and

inappropriate.

Demonstrated

little

understanding

of analysis

used.

Total: 40 points

Academic Integrity

DIRECTIONS: Read the statement below on academic integrity. Then print your name and write

your signature below as indicated. This signifies your understanding and compliance with the

instructions for this project. Face to face students: please bring this form to your second class.

Online students: please scan this form and send as an email attachment to your instructor during

the second week of class.

Students of Wilmington University are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic pursuits. It is

inappropriate conduct to falsify the results of research; use the words, phrases, or ideas of another without

proper citation; cheat or attempt to cheat on an assignment or examination; or to aid, assist, or allow another

to commit an act of academic dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty are serious offenses.

When a student places his or her name on submitted work, the student certifies the originality of all work

not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgement.

PLAGIARISM is defined as: Submitting information without acknowledging the source through complete,

accurate, and specific references, including:

 Submitting work that includes the words, ideas, or data of another as your own,

 Information from the Internet

 Work which you have previously submitted for other assignments (known as self-plagiarism)

 Copying a source verbatim

PLAGIARISM NEED NOT BE INTENTIONAL. Students are urged to consult with individual faculty

members, department heads, or recognized handbooks in their discipline (located at

http://www.wilmu.edu/ssc/writing.aspx) if they are in doubt as to whether their work may contain

plagiarized material. This should be done before the work is submitted. Plagiarism applies to the use of

published and unpublished sources.

CHEATING is an act or an attempted act of deception by which the student seeks to misrepresent that he or

she has mastered information on an academic exercise. Some examples of cheating include copying from

another student’s test paper, allowing another student to copy from your test paper, using unauthorized

notes or books during a test, using crib sheets, using notes or books during a closed book exam,

collaborating on home assignments or exams without permission by the instructor, buying or selling exams

or papers, any use of electronic/online technology such as an iPod, cell phone, or Blackberry or similar

device during a test, or unauthorized communication of answers to a test to others.

Source: http://www.wilmu.edu/studentlife/acadintegrity.aspx

Plagiarism and/or cheating will result in the grade of 0 on this project. It cannot be replaced or averaged

with another project grade. Violations of this agreement as it relates to the Student Code of Conduct will

be turned in to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs in accordance with the Academic

Integrity Policy.

Print your name ______________________________________________________________________

Signature ___________________________________________________________________________