MDM4U
Culminating Project
In line with the focus on the application of data management to problem solving,
solving, you
will be asked to present a final course project.
project.
Specific Expectations:
Expectations:
 Pose a significant problem of interest that requires the organization and analysis
of a suitable set of primary or secondary quantitative data and conduct
appropriate background research related to the topic being studied.
studied.
 Design a plan to study the problem (e.g., identify the variables and the
population;
population; develop an ethical survey;
survey; establish the procedures for gathering,
gathering,
summarizing,
summarizing, and analyzing the primary or secondary data;
data; consider the sample
size and possible sources of bias).
bias).
 Gather data related to the study of the problem (e
(e.g., by using a survey;
survey; by using
the Internet;
;
by
using
a
simulation)
)
and
organize
the
data
(e
e
.
g
.,
by
setting up a
Internet
simulation
(
database;
database; by establishing intervals),
intervals), with or without technology.
technology.
 Interpret,
Interpret, analyze,
analyze, and summarize data related to the study of the problem (e
(e.g.,
generate and interpret numerical and graphical statistical summaries;
summaries; recognize
and apply a probability distribution model;
model; calculate the expected value of a
probability distribution),
distribution), with or without technology.
technology.
 Draw conclusions from the analysis of the data (e
(e.g., determine whether the
analysis solves the problem),
problem), evaluate the strength of the evidence (e
(e.g., by
considering factors such as sample size or bias,
bias, or the number of times a game
is played),
played), specify any limitations of the conclusions,
conclusions, and suggest followfollow-up
problems or investigations.
investigations.
 Compile a clear,
clear, wellwell-organized,
organized, and detailed report of the investigation.
investigation.
 Present a summary of the culminating investigation to an audience of their peers
within a specified length of time,
time, with technology (e
(e.g. presentation software)
software) or
without technology.
technology.
 Answer questions about the culminating investigation and respond to critiques
(e.g., by elaborating on the procedures;
procedures; by justifying mathematical reasoning).
reasoning).
 Critique the mathematical work of others in a constructive manner.
manner.
This is a large independent research project. (Chapter 9 p.481 – 495)
Students will:
 choose a topic, define the problem, define the task, develop hypothesis;
 find data;
 conduct the data analysis;
 create a report;
 present the findings to the class.
Stage 1: Choosing a topic:
• identify an area of interest to be researched;
• look for something important;
• look at Statistics Canada for big ideas;
• look at the Students Projects http://www.teacherweb.com/ON/Statistics/Math/photo3.aspx
site for thoughts;
• look for a topic where there is data available
http://lib.stat.cmu.edu/DASL/alltopics.html (Data sets)
http://www.statsci.org/datasets.html
(Statistical Science)
http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/data/data.html (Data for math, science, and technology)
http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/ (Earth science data)
http://www.worldfactsandfigures.com/life_expectancy_asc.php
• accumulate general background knowledge
• formulate the research question/hypothesis.
4 days (due September 21)
Stage 2: Finding Data:
• you will need to have a set or several sets of data to support your research;
• visit the data libraries, on-line data bases CANSIM;
• look for a topic where you can develop a hypothesis or a significant question;
• your focus should be on proving an idea (either true or false);
• use popular (or favorite) search engines to find the data
for your topic (www .google.com; www .yahoo.com; www .dogpile.com; www .altavista.com;
www .excite.com; www .webcrawler .com; www .hotbot.com; http://go.com/ ; www.ask.com .
• you may also decide to collect your own data.
10 days
Stage 3: Conduct the Data Analysis
• plan how you will analyze the data;
• determine which statistical tools and technology you will use to analyze the data;
• make sure that the data, the analysis methods, and the conclusions are consistent with
your research question/hypothesis.
30 days
Stage 4: Create a report:
• describe the topic, formulate the hypothesis;
• describe the data, provide sources (magazines, reports, web sites) of the data;
• describe the steps for investigation;
• provide detailed statistical analysis of the data (correlation, regression, measures of
central tendency, dispersion, distribution, probability analysis, application of
counting techniques);
• draw conclusions;
• bibliography;
• related information.
14 days
Stage 5: Create a presentation:
• create a multimedia (PowerPoint, Flash, video) presentation of your project;
• present to the class, reflect on critique.
4 days
Some examples of Culminating Projects can be found in Handouts\Ms.
Sediako\MDM4U\Examples of summative
http://www.teacherweb.com/ON/Statistics/Math/photo3.aspx