Integration of the Techniques of Data Management: Culminating Project (Part 2) MDM 4U
You will be picking a topic to research and write your report on. You will be responsible for locating raw data
on your topic, sampling and analyzing the data, and making conclusions based on your analysis. You will be expected
to use proper terminology and write this report at a ‘statistics’ reading level. This is a formal written report. When
choosing your topic, pick something that interests you, but ensure that you can find appropriate data!
This is an individual project involving a single student’s own unique work with all sources properly cited using
APA format.
The written report for this project must include:
Title Page:
A descriptive title that answers the 5Ws for the study. Include my name, your name, the course code and the date.
Formatted professionally.
Introduction:
Introduces the topic and justifies its importance (sells the topic to the reader). This section should be approximately
one page in length. It should be interesting to read, contain general knowledge required for understanding the topic
and convince the reader of the study’s importance
Literature Review:
You are to find (at least) three academic sources that strongly relate to your topic and discuss how they relate to your
study. What is already known about your topic and how are you about to add to it? Critique the literature so that there
is evidence that new work needs to be done.
Hypothesis:
Statement of the hypothesis, referring back to the literature review as support. This may be a short paragraph.
Remember, this is to be an ‘educated’ guess. Support your hypothesis with other research, but hopefully you are
adding something to the previous findings.
Method:
Detailed description of methods used to collect and analyze data, including sampling methods, a description of the
target population and sample. Databases used must be clearly identified. A minimum of 40 numerical data points is
required. Include any technology/software that was used in your analysis.
Results/Analysis:
Include standard single and two variable analysis techniques studied in this course. Include small graphs with brief
descriptions of what they tell you. As well, include descriptions of the calculations/analysis that was done. This
section reports what was found, NOT WHAT IT TELLS YOU. Graphs must have proper figure titles BELOW them so
that they can be referred to in the text (eg. Figure 1 shows a strong positive correlation…). Your report should contain
at least 3 scatter plots.
Integration of the Techniques of Data Management: Culminating Project (Part 2) MDM 4U
Discussion:
A complete description of the conclusions derived from the analysis of the data obtained in this project (what the
calculations/analyses tell you – does it support your hypothesis?). Suggest any limitations and a direction for future
investigations. This will likely be two pages in length. Refer back to your hypothesis in this section. This is where you
tell the reader why the results lead you to your conclusions and why or why not your results make sense.
Bibliography:
All resources, in print and/or electronic, properly referenced using APA format. In text citations are to be done using
parenthetical references.
Appendices:
All summarized data presented in chart and graphical form, all calculations by hand and/or using technology. Proof of
Excel or Fathom use is required. All inclusions in the appendix will be given a figure title (to appear at the bottom) or a
table title (to appear at the top), as appropriate. Graphs in this section may be larger!
Please be aware that your reports could vary greatly in length. I am looking for quality, not necessarily quantity. Refer
to this page often to ensure that your report is focused on the appropriate areas.
Integration of the Techniques of Data Management: Culminating Project (Part 2) MDM 4U
Marking:
Please include this sheet with your project.
The following marking scheme will be used to evaluate your project. Please ensure that you have included
all sections in order to receive full credit.
Criterion
Title Page
Introduction
Description
Marks
Descriptive title, no more than 15 words. Your name, my name, course
and due date.
Introduces the topic and justifies its importance.
/2
/ 10
Fills in the reader in terms of required background knowledge.
Summarizes three literature sources that strongly relate to the topic.
Literature Review
Discuss their findings and how they relate to the topic being studied.
/15
Critical analysis of the literature.
Statement of the hypothesis giving reference to findings of the literature
Hypothesis
review.
/3
An educated guess based on others’ findings.
Description of who the population is, how the sample was selected
Methods
(sampling techniques used), where the secondary sources were located and
/5
what analysis tools were used.
Description of the results, including graphs (using appropriate analysis
Results
tools).
/ 20
Graphs and charts properly formatted with titles and embedded in the text.
Referring to the results section - summarize mathematical findings and
Discussion
discuss their relevance, determine the validity of hypothesis in a logical
manner, discuss possible limitations and possible extensions to the work.
/ 25
State results, but also discuss their meaning and validity.
References
Appendix
APA format for the works cited.
/5
Parenthetical references in text.
All calculations and raw data (with captions) properly formatted.
/5
Text in size 12, margins set at 2.54 cm (top/bottom) and 3.17 cm
Format
(left/right), mark sheet included, spelling and grammar.
/ 10
Proofread.
TOTAL:
/ 100