Forms A and B

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AP Statistics: Project Specifics

AP Statistics: Project Overview:

Over the next few weeks you will conduct either an experiment or a survey, collect data and submit both a written report and a presentation.  You may work by yourself or with a partner.  [IB students must do individual write-ups.]  You will be graded not only on the content and presentation, but also on keeping to deadlines.  It is VERY important that you keep to the given dates and not leave everything to the last minute.

 1.                Define the objectives of the experiment or survey and the population of interest. [STATEMENT OF TASK]

The most important consideration is that you choose a subject that interests you.  The data MUST be original.  Be sure that you are working with some sort of quantitative data (not a single yes/no proportion).  Be creative!

 2.     Determine an appropriate method of data collection.  If you do a survey, use a random sample selection and if you do an experiment, randomize treatments.

Be realistic in how you are going to collect data. At this point we are concerned with the method of collection, the number of subjects/units chosen with justification for that number, method of observation and explanation of the randomization. We would prefer if you collected data from outside the CCDS classrooms.  You will NOT be given time during classes to collect data nor will you be allowed to be tardy to this or any other class.  Should you choose to collect data from CCDS students, you will be encouraged to NOT use advisories or classes.  You may consider study halls, lunchtime or grade level meetings, but this will require careful planning.  You will also be expected to be present at the in-class presentations.

 AT THIS POINT YOU MUST TURN IN FORM A AND HAVE IT APPROVED BEFORE PROCEEDING.

3.     Develop a questionnaire or data collection form or outline of experimental design. [This is part of a well-focused plan]

Be very careful with the wording of any questions.  The questions will be presented to the class for critiquing before use.  If, for the purpose of data collection, you will be dealing directly with people in or outside the Country Day community, you need to submit a typed copy of the questionnaire along with a cover sheet that describes the purpose of the survey for administrative approval.

 AT THIS POINT YOU MUST TURN IN FORM B AND HAVE IT APPROVED BEFORE PROCEEDING.

 4.     Select a random sample and collect data or do the experiment and record data.  [This is the first part of implementing your data collection.]

You will be turning in a copy of your raw data.

5.     Process completed questionnaires or data collection forms.  [This is the final part of data collection and requires the data to be organized in a format appropriate for analysis, the data being sufficient in both quality and quantity.]

            Create a data summary sheet using Excel, Graphical Analysis or Word or comparable software program.

 AT THIS POINT YOU MUST TURN IN YOUR PROJECT DATA

 6.     Analyze data [A Critical part!  Mathematical processes must be done correctly.  Use a wide range of techniques which are related to the stated task.]

            Graphical displays may be done with software (all labeled of course!). 

 7.        Interpret the results. [Produce thorough interpretations and/or conclusions which are consistent with the analysis.  Comment critically on the validity of the mathematical processes used and results obtained.]

Summaries should be complete and include an analysis of your findings. 

 8.     Write a report and ? create a poster.

a)     Written report.  These are due February 12th.  Each person/group will submit one report.  For every calendar day they are late, you will lose 20 points.  The reports must be typed.  See Guidelines for additional information.

b)     Poster presentation.  We may or may not do this, depending on our pacing in this AP course.  These are due ??? Each group will provide a display on poster board which we will put up around the class. (This must be standard poster board; they need not be on science project trifolds.)  These will be graded by the rest of the class as well as by the instructor.   For every calendar day they are late, you will lose 10 points.   The presentation should provide an overview of the survey, include the questions, include attention-grabbing graphics, conclusions drawn, drawbacks of the techniques and future recommendations.  Feel free to be creative, colorful, cheerful and artistic!

 CRITICAL DATES FOR STATISTICS PROJECT

A.    November 29th           Project Proposal

                                                Turn in Form A

 B.    December 8th            Presentation of Procedures/Questions (in class);

Form B due

 C.    January 9th               Turn in copy of data.

 D.    February 12th            Written report due.

 E.    ? TBA ?                  Poster Presentation.

                     

GRADING CRITERIA FOR PROJECT (170 points? total)

 Project Statement (Form A) (Nov. 29th)                   20 points

 Form B  (Dec. 8th)                                                  20 points

 Copy of data (Jan. 9th)                                            20 points

 Written Report (Feb. 12th)                                      100 points

 Poster (MAYBE ??)                                                ?? points

 Evaluation and participation                                    10 points*

 *These are extra credit points – you MUST be in class to participate in the activity to receive these.

 THESE ARE THE FINAL DUE DATES.

 REMEMBER   -    ANYTHING CAN BE TURNED IN EARLY. 

LATE WORK WILL BE SEVERELY PENALIZED.

 FORM A                                                          

 Turn in by November 29th  

 Name(s): (include e-mail)                                 

 SURVEY OR EXPERIMENT DESCRIPTION:

 POPULATION:

 PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION (including METHOD OF RANDOMIZATION): (Be specific!)

 What do you THINK your results will show?

 

FORM B                                                          

 Turn in by December 8th  

 Name(s): (include e-mail)                                 

 PROJECT TITLE:

 POPULATION:

 SAMPLE:

 Attach a detailed description of your data collection method with, if appropriate, the survey questions to be used, or the outline and details [where, when, how, who] of the experiment.

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Checklist for AP Statistics Written Project

 

Title, statement of task [purpose/question of interest]                     <5 pts.>

Introduction: What and why this topic?        <5 pts.>
        What is the purpose of your project?
        What motivated the study?
        What were the anticipated outcomes?
        What are the essential outcomes? 

Details of the project implementation: how was data gathered?      <20 pts.>
Description of a well-focused plan by which the task is carried out.
           identify population
        describe any randomization method used and provide results
        provide the survey instrument or describe the method of experimentation
        identify possible sources of bias and their possible effects on the results

Summarize the data (concise, well-labeled, easy to read): What are the general trends?  How strong is the trend? What are the exceptions to the trend?    <35 pts.>
Collect/generate measurements, information or data relevant to the defined task and organize the data in a form appropriate for analysis, the data being sufficient in both quality and quantity.
Simple mathematical processes are done correctly and a wide range of more sophisticated techniques which are relevant to the stated task are done accurately.
        Numerical/Quantitative data may include [choose appropriately!]
       Graphs (e.g., stem and leaf, histogram, boxplot, scatterplot)
       Measures of central tendency (mean or median)
       Measures of variability (e.g., range, standard deviation, IQR, r2, residuals)
       Check for outliers or extremes (e.g., z scores, boxplot, 1.5(IQR)
       If appropriate, check for normality? (e.g. prob. plot, 68-95-99.7 rule)
       Qualitative data may include [choose appropriately!]
       Graphs: pie chart or bar graph or segmented bar graph (using %)
       Summaries within categories? Proportion in each category (and sample size)?
       Two (or more)-way table?
       Summarize the general trend, comment on the strength of the trend, and note any exceptions to the trend.

 Interpretation / Analysis / Explanation of Results   <20 pts.>
Thorough interpretations and/or conclusions are consistent with the analysis, and critical comments are made on the validity of the mathematical processes used and the results obtained.
             What does it all mean?
            Use the above summaries to justify your interpretation
            Suggest reasons for what you’ve observed

Overall Conclusion, Recommendations (What would you change if you were to re-do this project from the start?), Possible extensions     <5 pts.>

 If you worked within a group, discuss the effectiveness of the group (evaluate your effort as well as that of your teammates and assess the contributions in defining the question of interest, developing a survey or experiment, determining the sampling frame and randomization strategy, the method of collection, analyzing outcomes, and proofing the final paper). <5 pts.> 

 Style/Neatness                         <5 pts.>

Guidelines for Writing the Report 

Introduction: 

This should be worded carefully, as that may be as far as some people get.  The goal is to convey the goals and the most essential outcomes of the study.  It’s often easier to write this section after you’ve written the rest of the report so that you know what you are trying to summarize.  This section should include your motivation for the study and how you came across the idea and what the anticipated outcome might be.

 Data Collection Methods: 

The goal of this section is to tell the reader precisely how the data was collected.  This should be a description of the process, not the data.  This description should include details of the measuring instruments used, operational definitions of basic measurements, the sampling frame, randomization, precautions etc.  There should be enough detail so someone could replicate your study.

 Results: 

The goal of this section is to present the data that you obtained in a clear, easy to read format.  In addition to numerical summaries, you should use tables and graphs to summarize the data - an effective summary is worth a thousand data points.  Include graphical and numeric summaries.  You should also include any changes that were made to the data (scaling, transformations, missing values, points that had to be discarded (with reasons!)).  Tables and figures should have titles and be numbered so that they can be referred to in the text of the report.  Each figure or table should be able to stand on its own and tell its own story.  You may use tables and graphs from the TI-83 or from computer software, but be certain to include titles and labels.  Sometimes you can use computer or calculator print out as is, and sometimes you will want to select relevant information and construct your own summaries.

 Discussion [Analysis]: 

Interpret the data.  You should include any explanations you may have for what you found in your data.  Recall any problems that you had collecting your data (e.g. is it really a random sample? Is there under response or non response?) and how your interpretations may be limited.  It is also possible to combine this section with the previous one, with any computer output interspersed through the discussion.

 Conclusion: 

Briefly summarize your report.  What is your final answer to the question?  What are the implications of the results?  Use non statistical language.  Include any ideas or suggestions that you have for future experiments/investigations. 

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE IB PROJECT
bulletRequirements:
bulletBased upon personal research involving the collection, analysis and evaluation of data.
bulletShould contain:
bullet1. a statement of task.
bullet2. measurements, information or data whish has been collected and/or generated.
bullet3. an analysis of the measurements, information or data.
bullet4. an evaluation of the analysis.
bulletIt should be about 2,000 words.
bulletexamples:  modeling, investigations, applications and statistical surveys.
bulletCriterion A-F descriptors (25 total points)
bulletCriterion A - Statement of task (3 points)
bulletThe task is what the candidate is going to do and the plan is how they are going to do it. It should appear at the beginning of the project.
bullet0 - The candidate does not produce a statement of task.
bullet1 - The candidate produces a statement of task 
bullet2 - The candidate produces a clear a statement of task and describes the plan by which it will be carried out.
bullet3 - The candidate produces a clear a statement of task and describes the plan by which it will be carried out, this plan being well focused.
bulletCriterion B - Data Collection (4 points)
bulletIn this context generated data includes data which has been generated by compute, by observation, by investigation or by experiment. Mathematical information includes graphical figures, synthetically generated numbers and data which is collected empirically or assembled from outside sources.
bullet0 - The candidate does not collect/generate measurements, information or data.
bullet1 - The candidate collects/generates measurements, information or data.
bullet2 - The candidate collects/generates measurements, information or data relevant to the defined task.
bullet3 - The candidate collects/generates measurements, information or data relevant to the defined task and organizes the data in a form appropriate for analysis.
bullet4 - The candidate collects/generates measurements, information or data relevant to the defined task and organizes the data in a form appropriate for analysis, the data being sufficient in both quality and quantity.
bulletCriterion C - Analysis (6 points)
bulletWhen presenting diagrams, candidates are expected to use rulers where necessary and not merely sketch.  A freehand sketch would not be considered a correct mathematical process.
bullet0 - The candidate does not attempt to carry out any mathematical processes.
bullet1 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes.
bullet2 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes correctly.
bullet3 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes correctly which are relevant to the stated task.
bullet4 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes correctly and makes use of more sophisticated techniques which are relevant to the stated task.
bullet5 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes correctly and makes accurate use of more sophisticated techniques which are relevant to the stated task.
bullet6 - The candidate carries out simple mathematical processes correctly and makes accurate use of a wide range of more sophisticated techniques which are relevant to the stated task.
bulletCriterion D - Evaluation (5 points)
bullet0 - The Candidate does not produce any interpretations or conclusions.
bullet1 - The Candidate produces at least one interpretations or conclusions.
bullet2 - The Candidate produces some interpretations and/or conclusions which are consistent with the analysis.
bullet3 - The Candidate produces some interpretations and/or conclusions which are consistent with the analysis, and comments on the validity of the mathematical processes used and the results obtained.
bullet4 - The Candidate produces through interpretations and/or conclusions which are consistent with the analysis, and comments on the validity of the mathematical processes used and the results obtained.
bullet5 - The Candidate produces through interpretations and/or conclusions which are consistent with the analysis, and comments critically on the validity of the mathematical processes used and the results obtained.
bulletCriterion E - Structure and Communication (4 points)
bullet0 - The candidate has made no attempt to structure the project.
bullet1 - The candidate has made some attempt to structure the project by recording actions at each stage.
bullet2 - The candidate has structured the project by recording actions at each stage using mathematical language and representations.
bullet3 - The candidate has structured the project by systematically recording actions at each stage using appropriate mathematical language and representations.
bullet4 - The candidate has structured the project by systematically recording actions at each stage using appropriate mathematical language and representations in a clear and coherent manner.
bulletCriterion F - Commitment (3 points)
bulletThis criterion is teacher orientated and graded by the teacher.
bullet0 - The candidate showed no commitment.
bullet1 - The candidate showed average commitment.
bullet2 - The candidate showed good commitment.
bullet3 - The candidate showed outstanding commitment.