using the information in the outline attached below MTH 102 Final Project: Statistical Research in Your Field
Last week you formulated a research question and procedures
for studying this question. You also reviewed two articles with main ideas
similar to your own research. You were then able to see what kind of data is
used to answer similar research questions.
This week you will synthesize your findings into a 3-4 page
analytical essay that further elaborates on and explores your research
methodology. Modern statistical research relies on many of the concepts we
studied in this course. Of course, the statistics used is often at a much
higher level than what we have studied this term. In this course we studied
statistics that only involved a few variables; however, in real research,
statistics involves many more variables.
Imagine that you have become a high-ranking executive with
your prospective employer. You have vast resources to expend, including a team
of statisticians and “number-crunchers”. In this case you would most likely be
the last person conducting research. However, you do need to understand the
results of your research and explore various methods for conducting research.
Your essay should have three parts, described below:
Part I: Discuss
how your team would collect your data? Would you review the entire population
or would you select a sample? If you choose to select a sample, what sampling
technique would you use to form a representative sample? Would you divide the
members of your sample into additional groups, such as a randomized control group?
Part II: Describe
the methodology your team would use to analyze your data. What kinds of
statistical techniques would you use that you have learned in this course? How
would you present your statistics—in a table or with a graph? How would the statistical
techniques you choose help you answer your research question?
Part III: Identify
how your team would interpret the results of this study? What kinds of values
would you be analyzing from your study in part 2? If you are using hypothesis
testing, what confidence level would you like to use? If you’re using
regression analysis, what value would be favorable? How will your team
report on these results?
Tips
on Writing a Successful Analytical Essay:
·
Your essay should have a beginning, middle, and
end.
·
You should include a thesis statement (*hint use
parts I-III to craft your thesis)
·
Use the two articles you studied last week to
guide your methodology. What were some the inherent strengths of these
articles? Where did they fall short?
·
Any sources you use should follow the guidelines
of APA Citation. When you cite a source you should use an in-text citation and
have a references page.
·
Your conclusion should summarize the methodology
of your study succinctly and provide an overview of the study.