What is the final project?

The final project is your opportunity to show what you have learned in the course. That's right, show off a bit! The final project module has all the information you will need to decide on a project, complete it, get help when you are stuck, and produce an outstanding statistical research report.

What will you produce?

• A project proposal
• A project formulation where you identify the statistical tools that you will use
• A rough draft of your project
• An abstract (brief summary) to share with other students
• Your masterpiece of statistical analysis pleasingly and professionally presented!

Starting your final project

Since statistics is an applied field of science, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge of statistical reasoning and procedures to a problem you choose in consultation with me. You will be required to submit a brief project proposal. Now is the time to start thinking about the problem you wish to solve using the skills you have been learning in this course.

The problem you choose should be complex enough to demonstrate your skills at data analysis, including such skills as the identification of any outliers, describing the variables in your data, looking at any relationships between variables that may exist, and testing the significance of any inferences you make about your data. A problem does not need to allow for the use of all of your data analysis skills if it demonstrates some of them well.  Use of the spreadsheet is required and all calculations must be shown.

Choosing a Problem

1. Where Will I Obtain the Necessary Data?
   There are a large number of readily available sources of data. Some of these sources are on the Internet (especially government websites, like www.census.gov ).
   You may want to look at the links under the Resources tab for possible project ideas and data. The ESC subject area guides are especially good for identifying data sources.
   Other sources for data include readily available printed reports (especially government reports such as those produced by the U.S. Bureau of the Census or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and, frequently, your own job.  Many employers are willing to give access to data if identifying information is omitted.
   If you really prefer to gather your own data, we strongly discourage gathering data by survey. Instead, construct an experiment. For example, one previous project involved testing whether measuring tablespoons that are differently-shaped (round, oval, rectangular) are really identical measures for granular material (e.g., cornmeal).  Diets, fuel prices, real estate values, and grades are all sources of data.  Remember that the focus is on showing your ability to set up a problem and use statistical tools to solve it.
2. How Many Observations and Variables Can I Reasonably Work With and Obtain?
   You should use at least 40 observations. Keep the number of different variables reasonable. For the best results, you want numerical data that can be separated into several different categories.
   Also, you should consider how many observations and variables your software can handle. If you are considering working with a large number of observations, you want to download the data from a database.  You are expected to use spreadsheet software in your analysis.
3. How Can I Solve This Problem?

Your project should include at least one graph of your data, a numerical summary, at least two tests, and a confidence interval. There is a very useful summary of techniques printed in the inside front cover of the Moore textbook.  Correlation/regression analysis is one appropriate test; the "Overview of basic inference methods" describes the rest, which we will cover in the second half of the course. Note: We skip tests in parts IV and V, except for chi-square and ANOVA.

What to Do

In finalizing your project you should do the following:

1. Make certain your report follows the outline provided below.
2. Use section and sub-section headings in your report.
3. Include in the body of your report short tables and graphs referred to in the report. Usually, these go immediately after they are referred to in the text. (If you have difficulty placing a graphic or table in the report, you may place it in an Excel file with appropriate labeling.)
4. Include lengthy tables and relevant printouts or transcribed copies of the calculator results in an appendix to your report.
5. Proofread your report for spelling, content, clarity, ease of readability, and grammar. (Have someone else proofread your report for the same items listed above.)
6. Identify all sources of information or data in text notes, if needed, and in a list of sources at the end of your report.
7. Submit the project as either one or two attachments:

• Two attachments: One should be a Microsoft Word or similar text document. The second should be Microsoft Excel or similar graphics document.
• One Attachment: You may submit the final project in one document if you can combine text, analysis, and graphics in one.

Price: $3.99

Solution: The downloadable solution consists of 1 pages, 115 words.
Deliverable: Word Document