Descriptive Statistics Projects



Objectives


The descriptive statistics project is designed to:
(1.) Meet one of the learning objectives of the VCCS (Virginia Community College System) standards for:

(a.) MTH 155: Statistical Reasoning
(Presents elementary statistical methods and concepts including visual data presentation, descriptive statistics, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and linear regression.).

(b.) MTH 245: Statistics I
(Presents an overview of statistics, including descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation, and linear regression.).

(2.) Present your data using a suitable data presentation tool.

(3.) Determine the measures of center by formulas.

(4.) Verify the measures of center by technology.

(5.) Determine the measures of spread by formulas.

(6.) Verify the measures of spread by technology.

(7.) Determine the measures of position by formulas.

(8.) Verify the measures of position by technology.

(9.) Determine the measures of shape.

(10.) Meet the QM (Quality Matters) and USDOE (United States Department of Education) requirements for distance education as regards the provision of RSI (Regular and Substantive Interaction).
Federal Register: Distance Education and Innovation
St. John's University: New Federal Requirements for Distance Education: Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)
Student – Content Interaction: Very high
Student – Student Interaction: Flexible
Student – Faculty Interaction: Very High



Top

Project Requirements

(1.) Data (Dataset): What dataset(s) should you use?
There are five approved ways to get the dataset(s).
Use any or combination of them.

(a.) Textbook (eBook) Datasets
You may use any of the applicable datasets from your eBook
eBook Datasets: 1
eBook Datasets: 2

eBook Datasets: 3

eBook Datasets: 4

eBook Datasets: 5

eBook Datasets: 6

(b.) MyLab Math (MLM) Datasets
You may use any of the applicable datasets from your MLM assignments.

(c.) Datasets from the U.S Government website: United States Government's Open Data: Datasets
You may use any of the applicable open datasets from the U.S government.

(d.) RStudio Datasets:
You may use any of the applicable built-in datasets from RStudio.

(e.) Data Collection from my Students. (This option is for onsite (traditional/in-class) students only.)
Please see me in the Office during Student Engagement hours so we can discuss the data collection methods and other requirements.

Please Note:
(I.) Any other dataset besides the ones mentioned should be pre-approved by me.
(II.) If you cannot find any dataset, please contact me via my school email (not via the Canvas messaging system).

(2.) Sample Size
At least a sample size of 10 (n ≥ 10) is required for each application.

(3.) This is an individual project.
You may collaborate with one another. However, it is not a group project.
No two students should use the same dataset and same variable(s) because there are many datasets available for you.
Be it as it may, I am here to help you. You have my number. Feel free to text me anytime. We can arrange Zoom sessions so I share my screen and work you through any questions you have. Please do this as soon as possible. Keep the due dates in mind.

(a.) Please submit the dataset(s) (names of the datasets including the sources) that you intend to work on, in the Projects: Datasets forum in the Canvas course. I shall review and respond.

(b.) Once I give you the approval, please send your draft to me via email (if you prefer my review to be seen by you alone) or submit your draft in the Projects: Drafts forum in the Canvas course (if you do not mind your colleagues reading my review). I shall review and respond.

(c.) When everything is fine (after you make changes as applicable based on my feedback), please submit your work in the appropriate area (Assignments: Projects page) of the Canvas course.
Only projects submitted in the appropriate area of the Canvas course are graded.
Draft projects are not graded. In other words, projects submitted via email and/or in the Projects: Drafts forum are not graded because they are drafts.
Submitting drafts is highly recommended. If your professor gives you an opportunity to submit a draft, please use that opportunity.
Submitting drafts is not required. It is highly recommended because I want to give you the opportunity to do your project very well and make an excellent grade in it.

(4.) As a student, you have free access to Microsoft Office suite of apps.
(a.) Please download the desktop apps of Microsoft Office on your desktop/laptop (Windows and/or Mac only).
Do not use a chromebook. Do not use a tablet/iPad. Do not use a smartphone.
Do not use the web app/sharepoint access of Microsoft Office.
(Please contact the IT/Tech Support for assistance if you do not know how to download the desktop app.)
In that regard, the project is to be typed using the desktop version/app of Microsoft Office Word only.

(b.) The file name for the Microsoft Office Word project should be saved as: firstNamelastNameproject
Use only hyphens between your first name and your last name; and between your last name and the word, project.
No spaces.

(c.) For all English terms (entire project): use Times New Roman; font size of 14; line spacing of 1.5
first step

(d.) For all Math terms: symbols, variables, numbers, formulas, expressions, equations and fractions among others, please use the Math Equation Editor.
(i.) Set the font to Cambria Math; font size of 14; and align accordingly
(ii.) Insert a space after each each equation as applicable. Just make a good work that is organized and spacious.
(iii.) Align the functions in each piece of the piecewise function accordingly.

second step

third step

fourth step

(e.) Include page numbers. You may include at the top of the pages or at the bottom of the pages but not both.
fifth step

(5.) All work must be shown.
Please write each formula before you use it.
If you use any variables, please define your variables accordingly in the context of your application.

(6.) All work must be turned in by the final due date to receive credit.
It is highly recommended that you turn in your draft by the first due date.
Then, review my feedback and make corrections as necessary and keep working with me until I give you the green light to turn it in.
This must be done by the final due date.
I would not wait till the due dates: the sooner you turn it in, the better.



Top

Example Guides (Descriptive Statistics Project)

The use of a table is optional.
If you intend to use more than one dataset:
Name: Your name
Date: The date
Instructor: Samuel Chukwuemeka
Project: Descriptive statistics of ... the dataset of the company
1st Dataset: (Please write the name of the dataset and describe it.) 1st Source: (Please write your source)
2nd Dataset: (Please write the name of the dataset and describe it) 2nd Source: (Please write your source)
Objectives: (Please write specific objectives)
Data Presentation: Using any appropriate data presentation tool, present your data.
Include these terms in each descriptive statistic measure:
Measures of Center: Mean, Median, Mode, Midrange
Measures of Spread: Range, Variance, Standard Deviation
Measures of Position: Five-Number Summary of the Data
Measures of Shape: Empirical Rule, Skewness, *Kurtosis* (Kurtosis may be omitted.)
(1.)
(2.)
(3.)
(4.)
(5.) ...
Formulas: Write only the formulas that you will use.
Define any variable in the formula in the context of your application.
Technology: Specify the technologies you used to verify your calculations.
(1.) Texas Instruments (TI) calculator
(2.) Google Spreadsheets
(3.) Microsoft Excel
(4.) Pearson Statcrunch
(5.) R/RStudio
(6.) Minitab
(7.) SPSS
Table: Specify any tables that you use.
Calculations: (1.) Present your data.
(2.) Calculate each descriptive statistic measure listed in the objective.
(2.) Intrepret ecah measure in the context of the dataset.
References: Please cite your sources accordingly.
Indicate the citation format.


Top

Samples of Students Projects

First Sample:

Second Sample:

The teacher should guide each student to the successful completion of the project.
Let students know you are willing to help.


Top

References

Chukwuemeka, Samuel Dominic (2023). R and RStudio Statistics Software. Retrieved from https://statistical-science.appspot.com/

Sullivan, M., & Barnett, R. (2013). Statistics: Informed decisions using data with an introduction to mathematics of finance (2nd custom ed.). Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.

Triola, M. F. (2015). Elementary Statistics using the TI-83/84 Plus Calculator (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson

Triola, M. F. (2022). Elementary Statistics. (14th ed.) Hoboken: Pearson.



Top