Purpose of Project:

This project is intended to give students experience in conducting a simple research study with emphasis on the analysis of data and on the presentation of statistical results.

I want you to "triple up" - form groups of approximately 3 members. Let me know by next Friday (Sept. 5) who is in your group. I encourage the IES students to team up with other students in their PSP group and focus their statistics project on the PSP. For students in other departments, it is suggested that your project be related to your thesis.

Make sure that the data and analysis are of interest to you. You will have more fun and learn more if it is.

Components of the Project:

Proposal

1. Each student will submit a 1-3 page proposal containing the following information:
2. Description: Briefly describe the nature and goal of the proposed project in terms clear to those outside your immediate discipline. Is your project of primarily a descriptive or inferential nature (or some combination of the two)?
3. Methods: Describe the specific methods, techniques or procedures you will use to accomplish the project's objectives.
4. Analysis: Describe your initial thinking as to the appropriate method of statistical analysis.

DEADLINE for proposal receipt: September 22, 1997.

(Submit 3 copies of your proposal. The instructor and two of your classmates will provide a peer review of your proposal.)

Proposal Revision and Methods Enhancement

Each student will resubmit the proposal containing revisions based on suggestions from the reviewers. In addition to your revisions, supplement the methods section with greater description of the statistical methods that will be used. Submit a point-by-point reply to the reviewers concerns.

DEADLINE for revision: October 20, 1997 (Submit 3 copies.)

Final Project Report

Each student will submit a written report of their project. This report should contain the following information:

1. Introduction
2. Methods of data collection
3. Results
4. Discussion including possible directions for future research.
   

DEADLINE for written report: November 24, 1997. (Submit 3 copies.)

Questions to consider when reviewing project proposals...

1. Is the question to be addressed by this project clearly stated?
2. Does the data that will be [has been] collected address this question?
3. Do you see any potential difficulties in the data collection? (e.g. possible selection bias of sampling units)
4. Do the proposed statistical methods for analyzing the data seem appropriate?
5. Do you have any suggestions that would improved the design or analysis of this project?
   

Feel free to write your comments on the copy of the proposal that you are reviewing. Any suggestions to improve the "readability" of the proposal (spelling, grammar, etc.) would be appreciated.

Be Constructive in your comments!