MATH 4713 PROJECT

This semester you will create a portfolio consisting of several parts which are described in the paragraphs that follow. The project is due on or before the week of final exams. For projects turned in after this date, ten points will be deducted from the project score. It is to your advantage to become cognizant of the scoring of the project prior to turning it in.

Part One

This portion of the project will require you to gather and analyze data using the students in your field placement. Use the checklist that follows to insure that you complete this portion of the project successfully. (This portion of the project is worth 30 points.)

______Create your student survey. Your survey should not include the name of the student. Use a number to identify each survey. Your survey should include the following:

1. Design a question that represents a quantitative variable.
2. Design a question that represents a categorical variable (not binary).
3. Design a question that represents a binary variable.
4. Design a second question that represents a binary variable.
5. Design a pair of questions that you believe will represent a positive correlation.
6. Design a pair of questions that you believe will represent a negative correlation.

In designing your survey you should note the following:

• You should try to tailor these questions to the student population that you are surveying.
• Your questions (that you create) should be of interest to the students. For example, you would not ask 4^th graders whether or not they like Chemistry or Biology. Instead, you might ask them whether they prefer Hamburgers or Hot Dogs.
• Make your survey decorative so that they look interesting to the students.
• I strongly suggest that you work this data collection into a lesson with your students, with the help of your cooperating teacher, of course. For example, you might have your students create a bar graph of data gathered from one of the questions.

______Get your teacher’s approval of the student survey. The teacher should read the survey and offer suggestions. Once any changes have been made, resubmit the survey to your teacher for approval. Your teacher may believe that parental approval is necessary as well. If so, have the teacher help you with this. The teacher approval form and parental approval documentation (if applicable) should be included in your project portfolio.

______Make the necessary copies of the student surveys.

_______Have the students complete the surveys. All completed surveys should be stored in your project portfolio.

Note the following:

For younger students, you may not be able to just hand them a survey and expect them to be able to complete it. In this case, you will need to work with your teacher to determine the best way to gather the information. Here are some examples to consider:

• On a certain day, work a math center into your students’ center rotation. At this center you could work with them in small groups to complete the survey.
• If necessary, you might need to complete the survey one-on-one.
• Make your survey user-friendly and lead the class through its completion. For example, if your question is, “Which color is your favorite: red, blue, green, or yellow?” then you could have the choices listed as the actual colors (not just the words) and allow them to circle their choice.

_______Data from you survey should be entered into a single Fathom Data set and saved on TWO disks (one is a back-up disk). Use your name as the file name. As you continue to update this file, be sure to save it on both disks.

_______Write an introductory paragraph to your project that identifies the observational units and the variables. Describe why you believe the questions for Item #5 above represent a positive correlation. Likewise, describe why you believe the questions from Item #6 above represent a negative correlation.

_______Create a bar graph for your categorical variable (Item #2 above) using Fathom.

_______Create a dot plot and a box plot for your quantitative variable (Item #1 above) using Fathom.

_______Write a paragraph or two that describes the distribution of your quantitative variable (Item #1 above). Be sure to include the following 6 items in your written paragraph(s).

1. Describe and interpret the shape of the distribution.
2. Discuss the appearance of peaks and/or clusters in your data (or the lack thereof).
3. Note whether or not there are any outliers in your data. If so, briefly explain why you believe each outlier exists within your data set.
4. Discuss whether or not your data set displays granularity.
5. Use Fathom to find the mean and median for your data. In addition, find the mode, which will need to be done by hand. Although Fathom is used to make these computations, include the numbers in your written paragraph(s).
6. Use Fathom to calculate the measure of spread (range, interquartile range and standard deviation) for your data. Recall that to find the range you must use “max-min.” In addition, report the five-number summary. Again, all of these numbers should be included in your paragraph(s).

________Create a stemplot of the responses from your quantitative variable (Item #1 above).

________Create a side-by-side stemplot of the responses from your quantitative variable (Item #1 above) using your categorical/binary variable (Item #3 above) as the category.

________Create a two-way table using your binary variables (Items #3 and 4 above).

________Create a scatter plot of the variables represented in Item #5 above.

________Create a scatter plot of the variable represented in Item #6 above.

________Use Fathom to calculate the correlation coefficient for your questions in Item #5 and for your questions in Item #6.

________Write a few sentences describing what these correlation coefficients tell you about the data. Within your description, be sure to address the issues of association and causation as they relate to your data.

________When you have completed the project, print your Fathom file and include this printout and your disk with your project.

***Note: Unless otherwise indicated, computations and graphs may be done by hand or by Fathom (if appropriate).***

Part Two

In this portion of the project, you will be asked to keep a journal. Entries from the journal will require you to write about a variety of topics. (This portion of the project is worth 40 points.)

Note the following:

• Journal entries will be written both in and out of class.
• Journal entries should be brought with you to class each day.
• If you are absent, you are still expected to complete the assigned journal entry. It is your responsibility to complete this missed entry. Descriptions of journal entries are on another handout.
• Journal entries should be written in complete sentences with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Neatness is important!
• Please do not place your journal entries in plastic, protective coverings.
• Journal entries will be collected and read randomly throughout the semester to provide feedback.
• Unless otherwise indicated, once journal entries have been scored, they will not be re-scored based on any corrections. Correcting journal entries is optional.

Journal entries will be scored based on the following:

• 0 = The entry is missing OR only the journal prompt is included OR no meaningful response is given.
• 1 = A meaningful attempt to respond to the journal prompt was made but it was either incomplete or it fell far short of providing an accurate solution/response.
• 2 = A complete but inaccurate response was given OR a correct response was provided without a clear explanation. For example, an inappropriate strategy led to an incorrect answer OR some condition of the problem was ignored OR work leading up to the correct response is omitted.
• 3 = A thorough, accurate, clear response is provided.

Part Three

This portion of the project consists of problem sets that will be distributed throughout the semester for you to complete outside of class. (This portion of the project is worth 40 points.)

Note the following:

• These assignments will be handed in throughout the semester to be graded.
• Once the assignments are returned, they should be stored in your project portfolio to be handed in as part of the project.

Part Four

The final part of the project consists of an assignment specific to your major (or grade level of interest). (This portion of the project is worth 15 points.)