Carrying Out a Statistical Investigation

Rationale
This project uses many of the skills developed in the course, such as the use of computational tools,
reasoning, justifying and connecting math to rich contexts. Students will have the opportunity to
choose a topic they find interesting to research. Guiding students with checkpoints provides
scaffolding for a large project and assists them in managing time to complete the assignment.

Research Project Instructions

You have received notice that you have obtained a statistician position for the Canadian
government. They have given you your first research project. You have first choice at the topic you
wish to explore. You have the option to poll and obtain data on your own or to use a preexisting
data set.
Stage 1: Proposal
Please submit a 1/2 1 page proposal outlining your research topic, why you chose it and your
hypothesis. State what your main question is (make sure it is broad enough) and sub questions you
will explore.
Remember: Before choosing a topic you must research to see whether a data set exists or whether
you can obtain that data on your own. If using a data set, please attach the source to your proposal.
If collecting data, please include your method and question(s).
Stage 2: Analysis
Using tools that we have explored in class (Excel and/or GeoGebra) you will analyze your data.
This will take up the bulk of your report. Save the files you use to analyze the data to submit with
your final project. Tip: Keep your files well organized.
Checklist:

You have used proper terminology when discussing variables

You have included scatterplots and one other type of graph and it is described in report
All useful results are explained thoroughly, types of relationships are identified

One Variable Analysis:

You have calculated 3 measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and included
at least 2 meaningfully in your report
You have analyzed at least 4 measures of spread (quartiles, percentiles, z-scores, variance,
standard deviation, range) and have included at least 3 meaningfully in your report
You have completed at least 2 types of graphs (circle graph, histogram, bar graph, boxplot,
stem and leaf) and have included one in you report

Two Variable Analysis:

You have included at least 2 scatterplots with a line of best fit and correlation coefficient
You have completed at least 1 linear regression

Stage 3: Writing up the Report

Your final report will include: a Title Page, Table of Contents, Introduction ( - 1 page), Analysis
(about 4 8 pages), Conclusion ( - 1 page), References (1 page) Excel and/or Gapminder
Worksheet, Data Set
It will be submitted electronically using Dropbox.
Stage 4: Presenting Your Findings
In a brief presentation (between 5 7 minutes) you will explain your research to your fellow
statisticians. Include an introduction, your analysis and conclusion.

Report Rubric
Communication
Proposal
/7

Title Page
and Table of
Contents
/4

/20

6 -7
Main question and
sub questions are
thoughtfully
connected. Reason
behind topic chose
was well explained,
Hypothesis clear;
no revision in plan
required.
4
Title is descriptive
and has all required
elements (course
code, teacher name,
student name, due
date, title)
Table of contents is
well organized and
complete
8 -9

Introduction Introduction is attention

grabbing; main ideas
and sub questions are
interesting and relevant.

/9

Reasons for pursing

topic explained; purpose
statement thoughtful
Hypothesis and
expectations clear
Clear and concise tone

Research cited in APA

4 -5
Main and sub
questions are
presented. Reason
of topic chosen and
hypothesis was
stated. Minor
revisions in plan
needed.

2- 3
Questions too
narrow/too
broad.
Reason of topic
choice and/or
hypothesis was
unclear.

0 -1
Proposal lacking
key elements.
Major revisions
required.

3
Title page has most
required elements

2
Title page or
Table of Contents
is missing; other
is completed well

0-1
Missing Title
page and/or
Table of Contents

6-7

4-5

0-4

Interesting
introduction with
clear purpose
statement and
questions you will
address.

Introduction
presents the main
question, a sub
question and
hypothesis.

Introduction is
missing key
components;
purpose and
research questions
are unclear

Table of contents is
complete

Hypothesis is stated

Components
severely lacking
information

Lacking in clarity
or concision

Mainly used a clear

and concise tone
Research cited in
APA

Research poorly
cited

No research
evident/cited

Application
One Variable
Analysis
/10

Two Variable
Analysis
/10

/27
8 - 10

6-8

4-6

0-4

Mean, median,
mode calculated at
least once

Mean, median,
mode calculated at
least once

Missing several
central tendency,
measures of
spread, or graphs

Missing many key

measurements
outlined in
checklist

At least 4
measures of
spread have been
calculated once

3 measures of
spread have been
calculated once

Not well connected

to topic

Used incorrectly or
not connected to
topic

All are used with

purpose and
excellently
explained in report

Most are used with

purpose and
explained

8 - 10

6-8

4-6

0-4

At least 2
scatterplots with
line of best fit and
correlation
coefficient
calculated

1 scatterplot and
correlation
coefficient
calculated

1 scatterplot and
correlation
coefficient
calculated

Missing
scatterplots with
correlation or
linear regressions

At least 1 linear
regression
completed

At least 1 linear
regression
completed

Used incorrectly or
not connected to
topic

Most are used with

purpose and
explained

Not well connected

to topic

At least 1 linear
regression
completed
All are used with
purpose and
excellently
explained in report

Graphs

/7

6 -7

4 -5

2- 3

0 -1

Multiple
scatterplots

Multiple
scatterplots

Few graphs are

used

Missing all or
many graphs

At least 2 types of
graphs are used

At least 2 types of
graphs are used

Well connected,
explained and
labelled

Thinking and Inquiry

Conclusion

/10

/10

8 - 10
Provides a
thorough analysis
of the results

6-8
Provides a good
analysis of the
results

Indicates whether
the hypothesis
matches finding

Indicates
whether the
hypothesis
matches finding

Fully explores the

project questions
Indicates
additional research
that could be done
and what the
findings mean for
the field of study

Knowledge and Understanding

Mathematical
Terminology
/4

Spelling and
Grammar

/4

4
Almost
always/always
uses correct
mathematical
writing and
symbols
4
Almost
always/always
uses correct
spelling and
grammar
Sophisticated
vocabulary
6 -7

Technology Use
/7

Excel/GeoGebra
sheets well
organized,
highlights key
information

Relates findings
back to original
topic questions

4-6
Provides a
satisfactory
analysis of the
results
Indicates
whether the
hypothesis
matches finding

0-4
The analysis of
the results needs
improvement
The hypothesis
was not referred
to or weakly
connected

/15
3
Mainly uses
correct
mathematical
writing and
symbols

2
Sometimes
correct
mathematical
writing and
symbols

1
Does not use
correct
mathematical
terms and
symbols often

3
Mainly uses
correct spelling
and grammar

2
Sometimes uses
correct spelling
and grammar

Strong
vocabulary

Basic word
choice

1
Mistakes in
spelling and
grammar are
distracting to the
reader. Revision
not evident.

4 -5

2- 3

0 -1

Excel/GeoGebra
sheets organized,
highlights key
information

Excel/GeoGebra
sheets somewhat
organized

Excel/GeoGebra
sheets
disorganized
and/or missing

Presentation Rubric
/10
Communication
and
Preparedness

Visual and
Content
Organization

8 - 10
Eye contact;
appropriate
speech and
volume

6-8
Mostly used
appropriate
volume and
speech

Preparation
very evident

Preparation
evident

Concise
summary of the
topic with all
relevant
analysis and
conclusions
present
Visually
appealing slides
Great
understanding
of topic

Good summary
of the topic with
most
information
covered
Visually
appealing slides
Good
understanding
of topic

4-6
Read from slides
often

0-4
No eye contact; only
read from slides

Speakers could
be heard by
some of the
audience

Difficult to
understand speech

Preparation
somewhat
evident
Informative but
missing several
elements
Slides somewhat
cluttered

Many questions left

unanswered
Cluttered/confusing
slides

Satisfactory
understanding
of their topic

Accomplishments:
You have just completed a project that fostered extremely useful skills in statistics,
mathematics and science. You have developed your ability to:
analyze, compute, organize, inquire, communicate and justify
information from real, current data sets. These are incredibly valuable talents that are used
in many careers!