Data Analysis

Psy 2317 Data Analysis Project

You have contracted with a local school district to help them decide whether to use an interactive computer

program or a standard chapter from a textbook to teach students to use fractions. The school did a pilot study

of the achievement levels where students were randomly assigned to one of the conditions. The school

obtained the following results:

1. Use summary calculations of the mean, standard deviation, and range for each condition to describe the characteristics of the two samples. What can you tell the school district about these two samples based on

your descriptive analyses? Explain in complete sentences and in terms a person with limited skills and

understanding of basic math or statistics could understand.

2. The school wants to know if there is a reliable difference in achievement levels between the computerized and standard textbook groups. Briefly describe the appropriate statistical strategy and mathematical

expressions for addressing this problem. Be sure to explain the rationale behind your choice of strategy.

3. Perform the statistical procedures necessary to develop and document a conclusion about the mean differences between the two groups.

4. Graph the mean performance of the two groups on graph paper.

5. Explain and defend your conclusions in response to the school district’s question. Explain in complete sentences and in terms a person with limited skills and understanding of basic math or statistics could

understand.

6. Type your report and include your handwritten or computer generated calculations.

7. Include the scoring rubric as the top page with your name, section, semester, and year.

Computer Mediated Approach Textbook Approach

97

89

95

79

93

58

90

75

83

47