Group Comparison Project

Intro to Statistics

 

Overview

  1. Select a variable for comparison.
  2. Select a group on campus to compare to the overall population.
  3. Collect a sample of at least 25 students from the selected sub-group.
  4. Run the appropriate T-Test or ANOVA.
  5. Report the results of your research to Dr. Sinn via email (Word Document).

 

There are 3 options for conducting a project.

  1. Research by yourself. You perform all data collection (sample size must be at least 25), analysis and project report. Compare a group of your choice to one of the variables in the list of statistics (see Dr. Sinn’s website).
  2. Research with a partner. Each person collects a sample of at least 25. The 2 groups are then compared on the numeric variable of your choosing.
  3. Research with a team (3 or 4). Teams of 4 must have 2 numeric research variables. Each person collects a sample of least 25 – subpopulations should be well-chosen. The groups are compared using an ANOVA. Follow up by comparing smallest and largest group means using a t-test. There are 2 ANOVA’s and 2 follow-up t-tests for 4 person teams.)

 

Project Report

Items below should definitely be included in your report.  Add anecdotes, quotes and observations as you wish.  Make it fun to read.  Reports will typically be 3-5 pages (12 point type, double-spaced). Grammar counts. Write well. Think of this as a persuasive essay, convincing me of your conclusions and your grasp of statistics-based research.

  1. Introduction.  Discuss the idea of your study, your “research question” or hypothesis to be tested.  Describe the results you expect from the project and which statistical test(s) you intend to use. Teams of 4 will need 2 hypotheses, one for each research variable.
  2. Data Collection.  Describe your data collection process including survey design issues, sampling techniques, and whether you feel you have a representative sample (why or why not?). Include data set(s) as a table at end. Only 1 – 2 demographic variables, please.
  3. Results.  State your research hypothesis in correct mathematical symbols (null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis). Report your descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and sample size). Which statistical test did you run (1 or 2 sample T-Test, 1-tailed or 2-tailed, left- or right-tailed, etc.), and why? How did you set alpha? Why? Report the results of your test.
  4. Findings.  Was there evidence your hypothesis is true? How certain are you? Interpret p-value(s).
  5. Conclusion.  What do the statistics reported above mean about NGCSU? What unique aspects of the group you studied may explain the difference? What did you learn from the project? What did you learn from the class?