(100 Points)                  AP Statistics Comprehensive Course Project

Project Overview

This project is to provide you with an opportunity to pull together much of the statistics of this course and apply it to a topic of interest to you. You must gather your own data by observational study, controlled experiment, or survey.  Data will need to be such that analysis can be done using the tools of this course, so the following options are available to you:

1.       one mean:  Example - Is the mean SAT math score for some defined population 500?

2.       two means:  Example - Is the mean SAT math score different for males and females?

3.       more than two means:  Example - Is there a difference in the mean salary of individuals given  

          that they have completed no more than high school, 2 years of college, or 4 years of college?

4.       one proportion:  Example - Is the proportion of zeros generated (RandInt(0,1)) .5?

5.       two proportions:  Example - Is the proportion of female smokers less than male? 

6.       more than two proportions:  Example- Is there a difference in the proportion of teens that  

          smoke given that both parents smoke, one parent smokes, or neither parent smokes?

7.       regression slope:  Example:  Is the number of accidental shootings during deer hunting season

          in Pennsylvania related to the number of hunting licenses sold?

You must gather your own data which will allow you to make inferences using one of the models listed above.  You must create an original study which does not have an obvious conclusion before the study is performed. 

Experimental Design

-  You must collect data in order to answer a question which you create for a sample you define with hopes

   of extending your conclusion to a population which you determine.

-  The data must be collected in a way which fulfills the assumptions of the required test.

-    The experimental design may be an observational study, a controlled experiment, or a survey.

-     If data is collected from human subjects,privacy must be maintained at all times. If data is collected

    about human subjects without their knowledge, you must clear your procedures with your teacher. 

Descriptive Statistics

-   Any descriptive statistics relevant to your project should be included. Minitab or StatCrunch output with some

    explanation would be appropriate.

-    At least two graphs (such as boxplots, scatterplots, stem-and-leaf, histograms, etc. ) should be part of your

     project.  The graphs can be a way to summarize descriptive statistics. 

Hypothesis Test & Confidence Interval

-    The type of test should be identified and an explanation of why this type of test was chosen.

-    Your project should include a check to make sure that is meets the assumptions of the particular test.  

    This may include a graph.

-   The hypotheses should be stated in words and symbols.

-   The formula should be written with symbols and then with the substitution of the appropriate numbers. 

-   You may use the TI-84+ to perform calculations. 

Format and Style   (10points)

The report should have the following attributes:

-    It must be word processed, but symbols may be inserted by hand if necessary.

-    It should have a cover page and be stapled.

-   Graphs are to be done with the computer.  Graphs should have a title and be properly labeled. 

The Report

The report should have each of the following sections in the order given:

            1.  Abstract   (10 points)

A one page overview of the study covering all the important details.  This

page should summarize the crucial points of the study from beginning to conclusion. 

            2.  Statement of the Problem    (5 points)

What is the purpose of your project?  What do you intend to solve?  What is the key issue raised?  Provide a description in every day English of the question you are trying to answer.

            3.  Background Research   (20 points)

This should be a couple of pages that overview some relevant writing in the area of your study.What has been written about your topic? Have any related studies ever been done?  You must have library resources for this, not just information from the internet.

4.  The Study   (30 points)

A.  Sampling:  A careful description of how you obtained the samples.  Be very specific.  Include sample sizes,population of interest, and description of sample.  Also include a copy of the survey if you used one.   (5 points)

                        B.  Data:  The actual data and a summary of the counts.   (3 points)

                        C.  Relevant Descriptive Statistics and Graphs.   (10 points)

D.  Significance Test &Confidence Interval:  This should include a statement of the type of test and an explanation for the use of that test as well as a check of the appropriate assumptions.  Include your hypotheses stated in words and symbols, the test statistic, and p-value.  Your formula with and without symbols should be provided.  Also include a diagram to illustrate your test statistic and p-value. Also include a confidence interval in similar manner in order to consider practical significance.  (12 points)

            5.  Discussion   (8 points)

                        A.  Weaknesses of your study.  Include any confounding variables.   (4 points)

B.  Extrapolate.  To what population do you feel comfortable extrapolating your results? Why?   (2 points)

                        C.  Suggestions for further work in the area of your topic.   (2 points)

            6.  Summary and Conclusion   (5 points)

                        Be sure to reference the situation as you discuss your conclusion.  Explain what lead you to the conclusion(s) that you have drawn. 

            7.  Bibliography   (2 points)

                        Include sources used in your background research and elsewhere as necessary.

Oral Presentation   (10 points)

A roughly ten minute oral presentation of your project will be given in June.  Your presentation should provide an overview of your entire project and include well prepared visuals.

Manipulation of Data

Do not alter your experiment or the data you collect to fit some notion of correct data.  Remember the study of statistics depends on variability. 

Working With Others

You may work with one or two other student or you may work on your own.  If you choose to work with a partner, make sure that the project is involved enough for two people.  You will submit one report for the two of you; however,  both of you will have to do the oral presentation.

Proposal Due Date

            You must have topic ideas by Monday, October 31.  Your proposal is to include a written statement of the question you are trying to answer, the population to which the question applies, a description of the sample you will use to draw conclusions about your population and a description of your sampling technique.  At that time I will help you to understand the necessary assumptions for your analysis so that appropriate data can be collected.

Project Due Dates

I will collect and grade the report parts 2,3, and 7 Monday, December 5.  I will collect and grade the report parts 4a,4b, and 4c, Thursday, January 26. The complete project including all parts is due at the start of class on Monday, May 21.  Late projects will receive a 3 point deduction for every day late at any deadline. On May 21 and 22, 10 minute oral presentations will be given to summarize the project.  These dates might change a little.