PROJECT GUIDELINES

 

During the course of the semester all students are expected to conduct a group project.

The project will account for 10% of your final grade.

 

For more detailed information check out the project web page:

 

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/statistics/w1111/

 

The steps for completing the project are summarized in the following checklist:

 

 

 

  1. Form a group.  Finish this part by February 5.

 

  1. Propose a study, state its purpose and explain what questions you hope to answer and why these particular questions are of interest. Finish this part by February 12.

 

  1. Design a procedure to collect and organize your data, discuss possible problems you may run into and how to best avoid them. You will need to hand in a short summary of your design proposal.   Hand in your summary by February 26.

 

  1. Collect your data according to your design protocol.  Finish this part by March 26.

 

  1. Summarize the data collected and discuss eventual problems that occurred during the process.  April 9.

 

  1. Analysis the data. - Formulate the questions of your project into statistical problems with respect to the data and carry out formal data analysis. Finish this part by April 16.

 

  1. Write your Final report. Finish this part by April 28.

 

  1. Hand in your Final report! The project is due at the start of the last class.

 

Apart from the design proposal (Step 4) and the final project (Step 8), you do not have to hand in any of your partial results. However, it is highly recommended that you follow the schedule outlined above. The project is an important part of learning how to apply statistics to real-world problems and it is sensible to keep a regular dialogue going with me during the course of the semester regarding your project.