We
are bombarded with statistics every day of our lives.
Understanding this subject will allow us to make informed
judgments about the
statistics presented by others to persuade us.
For this project, you will learn how data is collected by
organizations like the Gallop Organization. You will take what you
have learned to examine other types of data, translate
it into various graphing formats, gather some of your own data and
finally, you will use your findings to predict future trends.
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Join
our class as we study about Statistics!
CLICK ON OUR
FLAG
STUDENT
WORK FROM:
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FROM
FLORIDA
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FROM NEW JERSEY
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FROM
CANADA
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FROM
PENNSYLVANIA
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STEP
ONE
How can
numbers be used or abused, and how
is data collected by organizations like the Gallop
Poll
Organization?
Read the articles below. Use
the following *handout
to help you get the most information out of the article. In the "Sources of Bias" article, choose one of the " *Sampling
Bias"
activities below, answer the questions and complete the remaining
activity.
THE UNTRUTH ABOUT STATISTICS
HOW POLLS ARE
CONDUCTED
*SOURCES
OF BIAS
STEP TWO
As
a class, you will take a look at how the Gallop Organization
uses polls
to predict trends and inform the public. Click on the videos link
below and scroll down to the Gallop video indicated by date. After
watching the brief video, consider the following questions: What was your opinion after
viewing each of these informational videos? Did the video information alter
your previous opinions?
Honesty
and Ethics: Top Five Professions:
Scroll
down to the 12/4/2002 video
Americans
and Religion:
Scroll
down to 10/25/2001
To
Clone or Not to Clone:
Scroll
down to 6/20/2001
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STEP THREE
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Take one
of the following surveys:
After
completion, read through the "latest survey results"
page for your topic.
Using
the following web site (CREATE
A GRAPH ),
convert a portion of the latest survey results into a bar graph and a
pie graph. Print your graphs.
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STEP FOUR
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this assignment you will create a survey on topic of your
choice. To prepare for this assignment, read Designing
Surveys page. Create a question (refer to the assignment benchmark sheet) for your survey.
Twenty-five different people should complete
your survey. Try to involve people from
a variety of age groups and settings.
Display your data in at least two different
graphing formats (bar, double bar, pie, or histogram). You
may use Microsoft Excel (see directions for
creating graphs on Excel below) or use an online graphing
template to create your graph (Histogram
site, Bar or
Pie Graphing site). |
 STEP
FIVE (Optional)
Using the Gallop
video links above as a model, prepare a presentation for your class of your data
findings. You will be providing your audience with a short
overview of your findings. Remember: your statements are based on your survey
findings, not your opinion.  Your
presentation:
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will
be 2-3 minutes in length
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should
include a visual representation of your findings (ex:
overhead or chart)
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be
communicated clearly and concisely
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employ
the interest of your audience
Consider
using video as part of your presentation. |
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ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
Exploring
Data
An
extensive resource site for teachers of beginning statistics.
Statistics.com
A
comprehensive site to go when you need data sources.
World
Fact Book
An
invaluable publication that provides the essential elements of
basic intelligence on all areas of the world.
DIRECTIONS
FOR USING EXCEL
TO
CREATE GRAPHS
- Open the
Diving Data file for Excel.
- Select
several rows of cells or the whole table.
- From the
Insert menu, select Chart and "On This Sheet."
You will see the cursor change to a + and bar graph. Click
on the screen where you want to place your chart.
ChartWizard will appear.
- Follow
the ChartWizard directions: click Next to confirm your
selected range, pick a chart type (you will be able to
change this later), and select a format for that chart
type. You will see a sample chart. To begin, accept the
default behavior and click Next.
- Add the
name of the chart and the titles for the X and Y axis
(example: Diving Data, X = Divers, Y = Depth. Click
Finish. Your chart and a chart palette will appear.
- To change
the chart, select the chart type tool (the left hand icon
in the chart palette) to see the different charts
available. Select one of them and a new chart will appear
- Print
your graph.
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JOIN
OUR CLASS!
This
is an online collaborative project for middle school
students from around the globe to participate in. The
focus of the project is to learn about the importance of
statistics in our lives and then to submit Activity 4 to
be posted on our Statistics: A Curiosity Factor website.
It is our hope that others will view our website to learn
more about statistics.
Have
each student complete the STEP 4 assignment and then
electronically submit each student's question and
corresponding graphs on a Word document. Student work
should be submitted to Leslie Olson or
Brenda Dyck
by May 1, 2003. We will post the work on our project web
page.
RETURN
TO TOP
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