In today’s data-driven world, statistics can be found almost everywhere. Regardless of your major, you can use the lens of statistical thinking to better understand the world and put things into appropriate perspective. In particular, knowledge of statistics allows you to be a more critical consumer of information, including the credibility and significance of research studies.
The final project for this course is the creation of a research study report. After selecting an appropriate study from the Final Project Research Study Options document found in the Module One Reading and Resources, you will apply the critical-thinking skills gained from this course to summarize, analyze, and critique your study using a statistical lens. Specifically, you will determine to what extent your chosen study is well designed. The project is divided into two milestones and a final submission, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. As you review feedback from your instructor and peers, incorporate relevant feedback prior to the next milestone submission. Your final project submission should reflect the incorporation of all relevant feedback. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two and Four. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course competency:
- Identify and apply the aspects of a well-designed research study
Prompt
After selecting a research study from the provided list, create a report in which you evaluate the extent to which your chosen study reflects the aspects of a well-designed study. Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below.
- Introduction
- Identify the specific focus of the research. In other words, what was this study about?
- Explain the purpose of the study. What was the study trying to achieve?
- Describe the specific characteristics of the group being studied. What was the population? What was the sample size? What were its demographics?
- Analysis
- Analyze the research methods of the study. In other words, how did the researchers test their hypotheses related to the research questions? What, if any, assumptions did the researchers make in order to conduct their research?
- Examine the outcomes of those tests. What were the major findings (i.e., did they reject or fail to reject the hypotheses and why)?
- Discussion
- Assess the implications of the study. For example, what surprised you or struck you as interesting? What wider relevance or meaning do you draw from this study?
- Identify the potential Next Steps for the research. What related questions remain unanswered? What was not accomplished in the study that needs to be followed up on?
Milestones
Milestone One: Introduction
In Module Two, you will submit the “Introduction” section of the final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Introduction and Analysis
In Module Four, you will submit the “Analysis” section of the final project as well as the “Introduction” section, including the addition of relevant instructor and peer feedback. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Final Submission: Research Study Report
In Module Seven, you will submit your final project, which includes your newly created “discussion” section. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements listed in the prompt above. It should reflect the incorporation of relevant instructor and peer feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.