MATH200
Generally Assigned In Week 6
The Statistics Project is a term paper presenting a statistical study which you undertake on your own. The study must examine a problem which relates one variable to another and your job will be to collect some data and present the arguments for and against the relationship proposed. You must carefully weigh arguments on both sides with data.
THE PROBLEM -- First you must pick a problem. You must pick it on your own and it should be something that interests you so you won't find it too onerous to work on. Some examples:
1) Is the ozone layer really affected by manmade compounds? How do we know? Demonstrate with data for or against the hypothesis that it is.
2) Do people who score highly on the SAT's do better in college? How do we know? Demonstrate with data for or against the hypothesis that it is.
3) Global warming is caused by variations in the thermal output of the sun and not by manmade pollutants? Is there data to support this position? How do we know? Demonstrate with data for or against the hypothesis that it is.
The above are just a few examples of the kind of things one could study. I've added some links to the top of the Schedule page of places where you can research statistics ¾ there are many others and you are not required to use one of those provided. You can find your own.
Your paper must:
1) Present a Problem: It must state the problem clearly.
2) Describe the Problem
3) Present Data for and against the theses embodied in
the statement of the problem
4) Provide visualization (i.e. graphics like histograms
or paired variable charts, etc.)
5) Weigh the evidence discussing the pros and cons based
on the data
6) Provide a Conclusion and Recommendation for further
study.
The typical scope of the paper at least five pages (1 for items 1 and 2), and at least 1 for each of the 4 other elements. A really good paper might go to ten pages to provide completeness.
You must get approval for your PROBLEM from me by week 8 and the papers are due in week 12.
PRESENTATION: A few lucky students will be asked to present their papers to the class. This selection will be done based on random selection using our random number tables. If you are selected you will have one week notice before you present. The presentation will be in week 13.