Correlation Project:



Research Project – Correlation Study

Develop a testable hypothesis about the relationship between two factors. Survey at least 30 people, it can be more and sometimes more helps one truly see a possible correlation. Analyze data by making a scatter plot and finding the correlation coefficient. Based on your data draw some conclusions and design a fictitious experiment to test cause and effect.

What you will turn in

You will turn in a typed (single-spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margins) paper describing the method, results, and discussion of your experiment. The length of the paper is not important, but it must include the following information:

A title

• Not “Correlation Study”. Make your title suit your particular research topic.

Introduction:

• What is the hypothesis you are testing, what makes you think this is true, and why is it important?

Method:

• How did you sample people (be sure that your sampling method is not biased)? How did you get information (include the exact questions you asked your subjects).

• Be sure the wording is exact and does not bias the subject’s responses?

• Operational define your variables.

Results:

Chart of data (like a T-Chart)

Scatter plot

Correlation coefficient

Conclusion and Discussion:

• Is your hypothesis supported by the data? How strong is the correlation? What other factors could also be correlated?

• What possible factors could have skewed your data

• If there is a correlation, what are the three possible cause and effect relationships?

o Examples: good grades cause less TV watching, TV watching causes bad grades, some other factor causes both bad grades and lots of TV watching

o If there is NO correlation then you may still want to do an experiment to test another factor or to confirm that there is no cause and effect

Design of controlled experiment to test cause and effect.

• State the specific hypothesis you will be testing.

• Don’t worry about ethics or feasibility.

• Take into account sampling and controls.

• Things you need to include;

o Control group, experimental group, who is your population, how did you randomly sample, how did you randomly assign, did you use a double or single-blind experiment, what is you independent and dependent variable, operational definitions for your variables…etc.

• In this section include all of the parts described above in your experimental design. DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THE EXPERIMENT. I DO NOT WANT MADE UP RESULTS FROM A FICTICIOUS EXPERIMENT.

Choose two factors off this list (or pick some of your own) and develop a hypothesis to determine if there is a correlation. If you choose a factor of your own, make sure that it is quantifiable.

Hours of TV watching per week

Hours of sleep per week

Time spent on Internet per week

Height

Age

Weight

Number of siblings

Servings of meat per week

Servings of vegetables per week

Number of AP classes

Servings of fruit per week

Number of sodas per week

Bedtime

Calories eaten per day

Times you eat per day

Highest degree obtained by parent

How quickly they walk

SAT scores

Time spent exercising

Number of minutes on phone per day

Shoe size

Time spent on HW

Collecting Data Tips:

1. Create operational definitions of your variables.

2. Make sure you can quantify your variables in some way.

3. Find a way to measure the variables. Many of you will choose to use a survey. When designing your survey, remember that people are not always honest, especially if it is a sensitive topic. How could you increase the reliability of the self-reports?

- Remember the purpose of this project is for you to engage in the process. It is important that you understand the differences between a correlation study and an experiment and how they can be related.

- If you would like to create your charts and graphs on the computer you are welcome to but hand drawn charts and graphs are fine as well.

- All project must be submitted as a hard copy. DO NOT ASK ME TO PRINT IT FOR YOU OR COME TO CLASS LATE BECAUSE OF PRINTING!!

Grading Rubric

|Categories |4 (10 points) |3 (8 points) |2 (7 points) |1 (6 points) |0 (5 points) |

|Intro |- clear thesis |-straightforward thesis |- these is somewhat unclear |- missing one or the other |- did not include a thesis |

| |-explanation of the |-explanation is clear and |-explanation is weak but |- thesis is missing or not |and explanation |

| |importance of thesis is well|thorough |present |worded like a thesis | |

| |developed and goes deeper | | |-explanation is missing or | |

| |than the obvious | | |not thorough | |

|Method |-all aspects of 3 plus |-all factors are |-missing 1 element |- missing 2 elements |-missing more than 2 |

| |-factors chosen demonstrate |operationally defined | | |elements |

| |a larger need that captures |-Described population and | | |- of the elements included |

| |why research should be done |sample in detail | | |there is a poor |

| |on the topic |-sample of questions | | |understanding of the |

| | |included and show | | |concepts |

| | |understanding of wording | | | |

| | |effects | | | |

|Data and Graphs |-all required plot/tables |-Plot/tables are complete |-plot/table missing some |- missing plot or table |- no plot and no table |

| |are complete |-neat and organized |data | | |

| |-neat and organized | |- fewer than 30 participants| | |

| |-creative and colorful | | | | |

| |display or organization that| | | | |

| |strengthens understanding of| | | | |

| |charts | | | | |

|Discussion |-Answers show critical |- answers all questions |- answers all questions but |-missing 1-2 parts of the |-more than 2 parts of |

| |thinking |thoroughly |fails to explain results on |discussion |discuss are missing |

| |-demonstrates a depth of | |a deeper level |-short answers that |-answers are short, rushed |

| |knowledge on the topic of | | |demonstrate little thought |and demonstrate a |

| |correlation and research | | | |misunderstanding the content|

| |design | | | | |

|Design of |-Experiment includes all |- Experiment includes all |-missing 1-2 crucial |- missing 3 crucial elements|- failed to proper design an|

|Experiment |pieces |pieces |elements of experiment |of experiment |experiment to test cause and|

| | | | | |effect |

|Organization & |-fluid organization |-organization shows clear |-limited inconsistencies |- missing 1-2 required |-illogical organization |

|formatting |-clear titles and headings |planning |-did not follow directions |pieces |-missing several required |

| |-flow helps strengthen |-all parts are easily |explicitly (multiple errors)|-somewhat confusing to |pieces |

| |readers understanding |identified | |navigate through research |-limited to o presence of |

| |-followed directions (no |-followed directions (1-2 | |-did not follow directions |structured formatting |

| |errors) |errors) | |(several errors) | |

| | | | |-inconsistent formatting | |

| | | | |throughout | |

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download