Module A

Project Description

In this project, you will design a survey to answer a research question of your own, and then share the results.

Here are the steps you’ll need to complete.

Step 1: Choose a Research Question

In a group, decide on a research question. Your question should ask about the relationship between two or more attributes.

Examples of good research questions include:

  • Does handedness (left or right) have an impact on whether you played a sport in high school?

  • Do people who have dogs walk more than people who don’t?

An example of an inadequate research question would be:

  • What percent of people are left-handed? (This question only involves one attribute.)

To Do:

  • Form a group of no more than 4 people. (You may want to form a group with people who are in a similar major or have similar interests as this may make question selection easier.)

  • Choose a research question that asks about the relationship between two or more attributes.

Step 2: Design and Deploy a Survey

You will need to design a survey with relevant questions to help answer your research question. Remember to create clear questions that elicit specific answers. Then deploy your survey and collect at least 30 responses.

To Do:

  • Design a survey with clear and relevant questions to answer your research question.

  • Deploy the survey and collect at least 30 responses.

Hint: Having trouble getting enough responses, or want more participants? Try social media!

Step 3: Analyze your Data

Analyze your dataset by calculating summary statistics for the groups of interest. Remember to answer your research question, though you may have other insights you’d like to share as well.

To Do:

  • Subset the data in a way that helps you answer your research question. (For instance, in the example question above, you would subset the data into left-handed people and right-handed people.)

  • Do some basic data cleaning of the data if necessary.

  • Calculate summary statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, and variance) from your data for each subset and compare the statistics for the groups of interest.

Hint: If you are unsure how to clean your data, read this.

Step 4: Visualize your Findings and Share your Results

Visualize your findings through whatever chart types you find useful. Then share your results with the class by creating a slide deck.

To Do:

  • Create a visual for your findings using chart types of your choice. Include a few sentences on what each chart conveys.

  • Make a slide deck to share with the class that includes answers to the following.

    • What is your research question?

    • Where did your data come from?

    • What is your answer to the research question?

    • What are possible sources of bias, and how would you improve your study next time?

Hint: If you need help creating helpful visuals, re-visit this checklist on creating visualizations.

Step 5: Submit your Materials

Submit everything you used in each of the above steps.

To Do:

  • Submit your slides, sheet used for analysis, and a link to your survey by [Due Date].

  • Optional (faculty can decide whether to include or not): After completing and submitting your project, complete the group work self assessment and group assessment.

Optional (faculty can choose whether to include or not): Here is a folder with example projects that meet different grading criteria (from Needs Improvement to Above and Beyond).

Grading Rubric

Excellent

Developing

Beginning

NA / Not Present

Research Question (4)

Research question is included in the slides. Question is clear and specific and relates to at least two attributes.

Question has minor issues with clarity or specificity.

Question is unclear or not specific, or the question is about a single attribute.

There is no research question.

Survey Questions (8)

Survey questions are clear and can be used to answer the research question.

Survey questions are unclear or inappropriate/irrelevant for answering the research question.

Survey questions are unclear and inappropriate/irrelevant for answering the research question.

Survey questions not submitted.

Survey Responses (4)

30 or more responses are collected.

Between 15 and 29 responses are collected.

Fewer than 15 responses are collected.

No responses are collected.

Survey Sources (6)

Methods for recruiting participants are outlined in the slides.

Methods for recruiting participants are outlined in the slides, but in insufficient depth.

Methods for recruiting participants are mentioned in the slides, but not discussed.

Methods for recruiting participants are not outlined in the slides.

Statistical Analysis (8)

Analysis includes a complete and data-supported comparison of the two groups of interest in the research question. This includes a comparison of centers (mean and median) and spread (standard deviation and/or variance).

There is an attempt at a statistical analysis to answer the research question but there are minor errors or inconsistencies.

Analysis includes an incomplete or not data-supported comparison of the groups in the research question.

The slides have no mention of a statistical comparison of two groups.

Visualization (6)

Visualizations are accurate, relevant to the research question, and well presented.

Visualizations are broadly relevant to the research question but either contain inaccuracies or are not well presented.

Visualizations are not completely accurate or relevant to the research question.

Slides do not include a visualization.

Summary of Results (4)

Slides include a summary of results that answers the research question, This summary is accurate given the data, and consistent with the statistical analysis and visualizations.

Slides include a summary of results that answers the research question. This summary either contains inaccuracies or inconsistencies with the rest of the slides.

Slides include a summary of results that is incomplete or unrelated to the research question.

Slides do not include a summary of results.

Issues and Next Steps (6)

Slides include a section identifying issues and sources of potential bias. Slides include a discussion on possible steps to improve the study in the future.

Slides lack detail in identifying either issues or next steps, or have missed significant sources of bias in their survey.

Slides are either missing a section on issues and next steps, or the section(s) are minimal and lack depth.

Slides do not include a section on issues or on next steps.

Readability (4)

The slides are colorful and easy to read (in terms of font and font-size). The slides have very few spelling/grammar errors.

Slides are generally easy to read with some small but non-negligible exceptions.

Slides have issues with font or lack color. The report has several spelling/grammar errors.

There are no slides.

Total (50)
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