Statistics

STAT 311: Final Project Instructions & Rubric
For your final project, you will write a research report to provide you with an opportunity to
demonstrate what you have learned during the course.
The research paper’s topic is your choice but it is subject to my approval. It must include an
analysis of data using the statistical concepts and techniques that were covered in the course.
You may use existing datasets from a source provided in the STAT 311 supplemental material
or from your own independent research. You will not be required to collect your own data for this
project.
The most important part of this project is your data analysis. This portion of the project will
include your data, analysis, descriptive statistics, visual displays, and show your understanding
of statistical applications in order to inform others of your findings.
The organization of the paper should conform to APA style requirements and should follow the
following format:
1. Title
2. Abstract – a summary of the paper methodology and results
3. Introduction – a statement of the research problem, other research findings on the
problem, literature review, and the null and alternative hypotheses
4. Method – how the research was conducted
5. Analysis & Results – a summary of the descriptive and inferential statistics of the data
6. Discussion – an interpretation of the results of the study including suggestion for further
research
7. References – the bibliographic citations used in the study
There will be resources in the Course Information: Project folder on each of these sections. This
will help you if you have not taken a research methods course yet. There will also be a template
that you must use for this project. Each section is laid out (in APA format) with directions on how
to complete that section. I will also be placing a data analysis sample in that folder during Unit 3
so you can see what is expected.
The following schedule is when various parts of your paper are due:
1. Unit 2 – Choose your topic and explain your rationale for completing the study including
a problem statement
2. Unit 4 –Outline & Research hypothesis/Alternative hypothesis
3. Unit 6 – Literature Review & Reference List (must have at least 5 references) (Rough
draft – complete)
4. Unit 7 –Peer Review of paper (including your analysis)
5. Unit 8 – Final report due
As you can see, you will complete each part of this project sequentially and in small
pieces. After each submission, I will provide feedback and suggestions for you. If you2 | P a g e
follow the feedback and suggestions – you have a better chance of turning in a near
perfect paper in the end. Just take each section and put it all together!
In Unit 7, you will be completing blind peer reviews. You will “exchange” your rough
drafts via a link in the Discussion Board and each of you will be assigned two drafts to
review. Once completed, you will all receive a peer review sheet that has two reviews –
these will include constructive feedback, suggestions, and observations. You will not
know WHO reviewed your paper – but you will see those reviews. We will discuss this
further as we get closer to this date.
Your paper should be at least six – ten, double-spaced pages, excluding title page and
references. Keep track of the timelines for submitting material and remember to proof
read your work before submitting it.
Your rubric is on the next page. If you have any questions about the project, please post
them to the “Ask Your Instructor” forum within the Discussion Board. Good Luck!3 | P a g e
Components Outstanding Good Average Below Average
Abstract
10 points
 States problem clearly
 Gives hypotheses being
tested
 Highlights most important
findings with enough
information to understand
experiments
 States major findings and
conclusions
 Is a concise summary of
question and findings
 Is missing one
component of a good
abstract
 Does not provide a
summary of findings.
 Is missing two
components of a
good abstract
 Does not give an
overview that leads
directly to the
reader being able
to state the major
findings of the
study
 Is missing three or more
components of a good
abstract
Introduction
20 points
 Provides the reader with
the necessary information
to understand the
problem
 Thorough survey of the
literature leading to
problem
 Provides convincing
rationale for research
hypothesis
 Gives a description of the
specific purpose of the
study, a description of the
hypothesis being tested
and a brief summary of
the experimental strategy
being used at the end of
the introduction
 Does not provide the
reader with the
information to
understand the problem
 Gives too much
information–more like a
summary
 Has all the components
of a good introduction
but some parts may be
difficult to understand
 Is missing two
components of a
good introduction
 Does not identify a
problem to be
studied
 Is missing needed information
to understand the problem
 Is missing a description of the
specific purpose of the study,
a description of the hypothesis
being tested and a brief
summary of the experimental
strategy being used at the end
of the introduction
 Is missing 3 or more
components of an
introduction
Method
50 points
 Properly divided into
subsections
 Describes how the
experiment was
performed with sufficient
detail to enable another
researcher to repeat the
experiment
 Contains all the major
components of the
methods portion of a
research report

 Missing one subsection
covered in the Method
section
 Describes how the
experiment was
performed with
sufficient detail to
enable another
researcher to repeat the
experiment and obtain
the same results
 Missing one of the major
components of the
methods portion of a
research report
 Missing two of the
major components
of the Method
section
 Describes how the
experiment was
performed with
some critical details
are lacking
 Most steps are
understandable but
some lack detail or
are confusing
 Missing two of the
major components
of the methods
portion of a
research report
 Is lacking several critical
details so that it is impossible
to repeat the experiments
described
 Missing three of the major
components of the methods
portion of a research report
Results
100
 All pertinent data is
described and summarized
 Brief
 Results are reported using
descriptive statistical
techniques
 Data presented in a logical
manner to enable the
reader to draw conclusions
 Important data is
highlighted
 All pertinent data is
described and
summarized
 Somewhat lengthy
 Most results presented
using descriptive
statistical techniques
 Most data presented in
a logical manner to
enable the reader to
draw conclusions
 Most pertinent
data is described
and summarized
 Most results
presented as both
narrative text and
in figures and
tables
 Most data
presented in a
logical manner to
 Raw data unaccounted for
 Some results presented as
both narrative text and in
figures and tables
 Data not clearly presented
 Important data not
highlighted
 Data in tables or figures not
described in narrative form4 | P a g e
 All tables and figures have
appropriate legends
 All tables and figures are
described in the narrative
text
 Most important data is
highlighted
 All tables and figures
have appropriate
legends
 All tables and figures are
described in the
narrative text
enable the reader
to draw conclusions
 Most important
data is highlighted
 Most of the tables
and figures have
appropriate
legends
 Most tables and
figures are
described in the
narrative text
Discussion
50 points
 Question and hypothesis
restated
 Conclusions are stated
clearly with explicit
reference to the data that
support a conclusion
 Argument for conclusions
well organized
 Importance of conclusions
discussed
 Conclusions related to
other studies and put into
a context of current
knowledge
 Clear differentiation
between speculations and
conclusions
 Final paragraph states the
major finding of the study
(the take home message)
 Conclusions are stated
clearly with explicit
reference to the data
that support a
conclusion
 Argument for
conclusions is generally
well organized
Discussion of the results
is understandable
 Conclusions related to
other studies and put
into a context of current
knowledge
 Final paragraph states
the major finding of the
study (the take home
message)
 Conclusions are
stated clearly with
reference to the
data that support a
conclusion
 Discussion of the
results can be
understood but
difficult to follow
 Final paragraph
states the major
finding of the study
(the take home
message)
 Conclusions are stated but
without sufficient reference to
the results that support it.
 No discussion of what the
results mean
 Lacking several of the
characters of a good
discussion
References
25 points
 All cited sources present
 No references not cited in
the body present
 In the required format
 References all highly
relevant
 All cited sources present
 In required format
 References relevant and
appropriate
 Most cited sources
present
 Generally in
required format
 References relevant
and appropriate
 Many sources absent
 Inappropriate format
 References not most
relevant/appropriate to study
Grammar
and Spelling
20 points
 Paragraphs well organized
 Few grammatical errors,
typos and misspellings
 Most paragraphs well
organized
 Several grammatical
errors, typos, and
misspellings
 Many paragraphs
not organized
 Several
grammatical errors,
typos, and
misspelling
 Paper lacks well organized
paragraphs
 Sections do not contain
information presented in a
logical order
 Many grammatical errors
APA Style
and Format
25 points
 No errors in APA style
 Writing is smooth and easy
to follow
 Most components of the
required APA style
followed
 Writing is for the most
part smooth and easy to
follow
 Some noticeable
errors in the APA
style
 Writing is awkward
at times which
detracts in the
transition from
section to section
 No evidence of the APA style
used in completing report
Overall
Evaluation
250 – 300 points 150 – 249 points 51-149 points 0-50 points5 | P a g e