ST 380 Final Project

General Information:

Project abstract is due on October 19, 2009.
Project final report is due on December 4, 2009.
40% of the course grade will depend upon successful, on-time completion of the project.
Each member of a group will receive equal credit.

The projects are to be carried out in teams of 1-4 (3 person teams are probably optimal). Projects are to result in thorough but concise, professional quality technical reports of not more than ten 1.5-spaced pages (not including listings of raw data, computer output and R code) followed by a 10-15 minute seminar style presentation. Projects are to be turned in by the deadline stated above. If handed in before that date, the instructor will give feedback and allow you to make improvements. One paragraph proposals are due by the deadline stated above. These proposals should list your team members and spell out briefly the data source, the main goal of the study, and your basic statistical methodology. Pick a subject that interests you (preferably on a topic of your major) and then execute and analyze the results of a study intended to increase your understanding of the subject.

Guidelines on Project Proposal Submission:

This project need not be extensive nor require a huge time investment in data collection. But it does need to show careful planning, good logic and the proper use of the statistical analysis concepts discussed in the course. Some part of your instructor's reaction to your project will also inevitably reflect the originality of your topic and of your approach. So choose it with some care.

  1. Data: Identify a data set for your project and provide its source (e.g., website url etc.). A good source of data is in DASL. You will probably have less trouble with the project if the response variable(s) that you consider are quantitative as opposed to being categorical, and are derived from some physical measurement as opposed to say a 1 to 10 "rating" by an "expert."
  2. Background: Make sure you have a good understanding of the scientific background of the data set.
  3. Research questions: Create a list of a few interesting questions/problems you would like to resolve as a part of this project.
  4. Statistical methods: Think about a few potential statistical methods that you have learned in class that would help you resolve your research questions.
  5. : Prepare a neatly written paragraph (or two) describing briefly the data source, the main goal of the study, and your basic statistical methodology. Make sure that your proposal includes a clickable link to the data source. If you use msword,convert your word file to Adobe pdf formatbefore submitting.
  6. Submission: Submit a pdf file of your project proposal to the instructor (by email) no later than the above stated deadline.


Looking for project ideas? Check on StatSite by Gary Smith. Some additional data sources that you may find useful.

Guidelines on Final Report Submission and Presentation:

After experimenting with data and performing exploratory data analysis, create a thorough but concise report of the findings of your entire investigation. Include at least:

  1. Executive Summary: Describe the goals and major findings (not to exceed 500 words).
  2. Table of Contents: List the section titles with page numbers.
  3. Description of Data:Describe the scientific background and major variables.
  4. Statistical Analyses: Describe the exploratory analysis of the data (using graphics as well as numerical summaries). Simply attaching a ream of computer printout is not what is meant by including an appropriate statistical analysis.
  5. Major Findings: Provide a statement of the subject matter implications of your study. The main body of the report should include only the end products of any statistical calculations (but example calculations should be included in an appendix so your reader can see how your end products were produced).
  6. Discussion: Describe the limitations of your study and further questions raised by your study (that might be investigated in a subsequent study).
  7. Appendix (Code used): In an appendix include all R code and other supplementary materials that you have used (this will not be counted towards 10-page limit). All appendices should be referred to explicitly in the text (do not leave the reader guessing why appendix material is included).
  8. Final draft: Prepare a neatly written report of no more than ten 1.5-spaced pages that includes the above materials (excluding the code). Write the report as if a busy manager were going to read it. Statistical jargon for the sake of statistical jargon will not be well received. If you use msword, convert your word file to Adobe pdf format before submitting. Some useful tips to prepare a report.
  9. Submission: Submit a pdf file of your final project report to the instructor (by email) no later than the above stated deadline.
  10. Presentation: Prepare a 10-15-minute seminar style presentation using Power-Point or other presentation software. If your team consists of more than one member, you may choose a leader to present the entire report or each member may take part in presenting portions of the entire report (for the latter option some practice/rehearsal will be required to manage time and coordinate the order among group members).

Last updated on: September 28, 2009