Math question - Statistics - Methodology - Central Tendency

Apply statistical measurements to a real life question.

   • Select a topic which is appropriate for a statistics project.

   • Ask a question which can be quantified by numerical statistical measures.

(An example would be: “What is the average number of hours people watch TV every week?”)

   • Develop a working hypothesis of what you expect the results of your research to be.

(For example, your hypothesis might be: Adults 21 years and over watch an average of 2.5 hours of TV per day.)

   • Develop a “Sampling Design” for collecting the information you need.

(Data can be gathered at work, on the phone, or using some other method.)

   • Methodology: Explain the method you use to gather data.

   • Which of the four sampling techniques best describes your design?

   • Sample at least fifteen people and record their data in a simple table or chart; study the examples from Section 12-3.

   • Calculations

       1. Divide your sample into categories, such as males/females, or ages, or time of day, etc.

       2. Calculate the mean, median, and mode for your data as a whole.

       3. Calculate the mean, median, and mode for each separate category.

       4. Explain which measure of central tendency best describes your data and why.

       5. Compare the results for each category with one another. Point out any interesting results or unusual outcomes between categories.

(This is called a “comparative analysis” – using our results to explain interesting outcomes or differences (i.e., between men and women)).