AP Statistics Quarter 1 Project
Exploratory Analysis
Description, Deliverables, Steps, Requirements, and Sources
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Description :
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This project is intended to give you more experience in conducting exploratory analysis. You will use the techniques described in Chapter 1 of your textbook to thoroughly describe a data set provided by the U.S. federal government. Each student’s data set must be on a unique subject.
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THERE ARE THREE DELIVERABLES ON THIS PROJECT :
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The first is a data set, with brief description – that must be in a text, excel, or fathom file on Schoology by Friday of the 5th week of school (around middle of September).
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The second is a formal report with your exploratory analysis. The report is due no later than Thursday of the 8th week (around early October).
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The third is a single PowerPoint slide that you could use to present a two minute summary of your data exploration to the class. The PowerPoint slides is due no later than Thursday of the 8th week (around early October).
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PROJECT STEPS :
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Choose a federal government data set with at least 100 individuals and one quantitative variable.
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If your data subject is unique (check class log!), write it on the Class Project Log on Schoology; if not unique, repeat Step 1.
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No later than Friday of the 6th week of school (around middle of September), put your data set in a text, excel, or fathom file. Briefly describe what it is and where you obtained it (complete citation for source of data), and save in your “AP STATS” folder on your h:/ drive at school. Then upload the file to the appropriate assignment in Schoology or show your teacher as discussed in class.
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Use the techniques from Chapter 1 to display and explore your data set. Document your work and discuss your data set in a formal report.
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Summarize your data set description and exploration in one PowerPoint slide.
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Turn in your report and a PowerPoint slide file using one (or more) of the following methods (ask your teacher which is preferred) no later than Thursday of the 8th week (around start of October):
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Print out the scoring rubric, your report, and your PowerPoint slide on paper and hand in to your teacher in that order.
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Store your report and PowerPoint files on your school's h:/ drive
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Upload to the appropriate files as an Assignment in Schoology
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FORMAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS and FORMAT:
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Your report must contain at least the following sections:
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Introduction
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Graphical Displays of Data (Fathom, Excel, or very neatly hand drawn charts)
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Numerical Summary of Data – describe shape, center, and spread with appropriate measures, presence of outliers,
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Conclusion that refers to your PowerPoint summary slide
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You are encouraged to use as many of the bolded terms that are appropriate from pages 33-34 and page 61 of your textbook. If any terms do not apply to your specific data, feel free to explain why they do not.
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Highlight, bold, or footnote your first use of each bolded term.
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Professional looking product, one-sided, with 1 inch margins and 12 point Times New Roman Font.
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Header must include your LAST name in upper left corner and page number in upper right corner.
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A FEW EXAMPLE DATA SOURCES (You may use any Federal data source):
Quarter Project Grading Rubric to be Printed Out
(100 possible points)
1. Correct grammar use (20 points):
q Complete sentences used?
q Ideas organized?
q Topic sentence, main points, supporting facts or data?
q Spelling, punctuation correct?
Comments:
2. Professional Format (20 points):
q Neat and legible?
q Graphs are easy to read?
q Margins, font, header as specified?
q Sources other than text referenced (data source)?
Comments:
3. Completeness (20 points):
q Appropriate Data Set?
q Required sections in formal paper (see project instructions on reverse!)?
q Appropriate statistical terms used and first use highlighted?
q All appropriate graphs and numerical summaries used and discussed?
Comments:
4. Quality of analysis (20 points):
q All key points to describe data are included (shape, center, spread, outliers)?
q Comparison made between different displays and measures?
q Description of data is correct and consistent with displays and measures?
q Concise summary of data and exploration provided on PowerPoint slide?
Comments:
5. Timeliness of deliverables (20 points):
q September deadline met?
q October deadline met?