MAT 133 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
In todays data-driven world, statistics can be found almost everywhere. Regardless of your major, you can use the lens of statistical thinking to better
understand the world and put things into appropriate perspective. In particular, knowledge of statistics allows you to be a more critical consumer of information,
including the credibility and significance of research studies.
The final project for this course is the creation of a research study report. After selecting an appropriate study from the provided list by Module One, you will
apply the critical thinking skills gained from this course to summarize, analyze, and critique your study using a statistical lens. Specifically, you will determine to
what extent your chosen study is well-designed. The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to
scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. As you review feedback from your instructor and peers incorporate relevant feedback prior to the next
milestone submission. Your final project submission should reflect the incorporation of all relevant feedback. These milestones will be submitted in Modules
Two, Four, and Six. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course competency:
MAT-133-01: Identify and apply the aspects of a well-designed research study
Prompt
After selecting a research study from the provided list, create a report in which you evaluate the extent to which it reflects the aspects of a well-designed study.
Be sure to consult the Final Project Extra Help document to assist you in developing your report. Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below.
I. Introduction
a) Identify the specific focus of the research. In other words, what was this study about? What was the purpose of the study? [MAT-133-01]
b) Describe the specific characteristics of the population being studied. For example, what was the sample size? What were its demographics?
[MAT-133-01]
c) Evaluate the research question(s) of your chosen study. Did the researchers suggest hypotheses for their research questions? To what extent
are these questions significant, and why? [MAT-133-01]
II. Analysis
a) Analyze the research methods of the study. In other words, how did the researchers test their hypotheses related to the research questions?
What, if any, assumptions did the researchers make in order to conduct their research? [MAT-133-01]
b) Examine the outcomes of those tests. What were the major findings (i.e., did they reject or fail to reject the hypotheses and why)? Were the
findings statistically significant (i.e., what was the p-value)? [MAT-133-01]
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c) Evaluate the conclusions drawn by the researchers. Do you think the conclusions are valid based on the data and hypothesis test results? Is
there sufficient data to support the researchers generalizations? Why or why not? [MAT-133-01]
III. Discussion
a) Assess the implications of the study. For example, what surprised you or struck you as interesting? What wider relevance or meaning do you
draw from this study? [MAT-133-01]
b) Evaluate the extent to which this study applied the principles of a well-designed experiment. In other words, was the specific methodology used
sound? For example, did they employ proper sampling in their research design? [MAT-133-01]
c) Identify opportunities for future research based on findings from this study. In other words, what related questions remain unanswered? How
could those questions be addressed? [MAT-133-01]
Milestones
Milestone One: Introduction
In Module Two, you will submit the Introduction section of the final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Introduction and Analysis
In Module Four, you will submit the Analysis section of the final project as well as the Introduction section, including the addition of relevant instructor and
peer feedback. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Introduction, Analysis, and Discussion
In Module Six, you will submit the Discussion section of the final project as well as the Introduction and Analysis sections, including the addition of
relevant instructor and peer feedback. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Research Study Report
In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements listed in the prompt above. It
should reflect the incorporation of relevant instructor and peer feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project
Rubric.