Math& 146 Online – Intro to Statistics

PROJECT to Collect, Describe, and Infer from Data

Goals: The project will fulfill these course objectives:

Engage in experiential learning of key concepts through classroom activities and/or projects. [We don’t have a “classroom” so can’t do those activities – hence we will do a project!]

Communicate the results of data analysis clearly and precisely in both technical and non-technical words, including the use of the following:

  • correct statistical vocabulary;
  • graphical, symbolic, and numeric support for conclusions;
  • indications of the strength and limitations of conclusions.

Draw logical conclusions related to a specific problem by integrating the use of the following:

  • sampling;
  • summary statistics and presentation of data;
  • and either confidence intervals, hypothesis tests or regression analysis as appropriate.

(from Pierce College official Math& 146 outcomes #25, 26, & 27):

Overview:

Part 1 - Collect Data:

(1) First plan a good way to get a random sample of ten people & submit your plan in Graded Discussion Forum C, (2) When the plan is approved by the instructor, carry it out and survey 10 people, asking all the questions supplied by the instructor so that each student asks exactly the same questions, (3) Submit your survey responses on the required form to the instructor.

Part 2 – Descriptive Statistics:

The instructor will combine all students’ collected data together. The instructor will assign you two variables (one categorical and one quantitative) to analyze from the collected data. Following the required criteria, you will use descriptive statistics to organize, summarize, and make observations about the two data variables (calculate measures of center and spread, graph the data, observe characteristics of the data).

Part 3 – Inferential Statistics:

After you have studied the modules on inferential statistics…For one of the two variables you analyzed you will make a sensible claim about the population. Then you will report on the Test of Hypothesis you do to test whether the data are strong enough to support the claim or not.

Info in Other Documents:

• Criteria to be used in assessing/grading your work (that is – the details of what you must do to get a good grade)

• Survey Questionsyou must ask.

• Some sample projects.

• Due Dates for parts of the project are on the Schedule/Calendar.

Getting Started – Don’t Delay:

-Be sure to study Module 3 (“Sampling”) as soon as you can get to it. Then you should do the “Graded Discussion Forum C” for Mods 2, 3, & 4 as soon as possible.

Important “technical” NOTE: In actual research, the population that is of interest is decided first, and then a plan is formed to get a representative, unbiased sample from that population. This is an online course projectin which students will collect the data. The students are not all in the same location and cannot change their locations. Therefore we will need to have a somewhat strange population, namely: “people who could be in the locations where students are collecting the data.” Just keep in mind that this is not how actual research would be done, but it is the best we can do given the constraints of our course.