Project STA 220

Spring 2015
MYTHBUSTER/MEAN TESTING
You are going to get a chance to play Mythbuster. You need to either select a value to
measure/compare or a myth to test. This should be an original idea. It should be a
measureable topic (not simply countable). It should also be something that can be
broken into two groups or compared to a standard for hypothesis testing purposes.
Part of the grade will be coming up with the idea. Statistics is not only about
crunching the numbers, but coming up with the ideas in the first place.
Write up a summary of your data collection approach. Be sure to include any errors
that will be present in your collection. If they can be avoided, write up how you plan to
avoid them. If they cannot be avoided, write up how you plan to minimize them.
Collect your data. Be sure to explain why you chose the sample size that you did. Give
a complete error analysis of your data collection. Recall that statistical errors are
anything that keeps you from getting the same result each time.
Split your data into the groups that you were planning to compare. For each group,
find the mean, standard deviation, and appropriate confidence interval(s). Create a
table of values and make a histogram for each. Find the quartiles and include a neat
box plot of each next to each other.
Perform the appropriate hypothesis test. Neatly write out all steps.
Organize this all into a neat and official statistical report to turn in. Include any
sources cited and why you chose the topic you did.
Grading Rubric
Report (35 points):

Topic original and appropriate, statistically correct

and complete, clarity, purpose, follow directions,
etc

Data summary (40 points):

Proper sample size, correct error analysis,

calculations, graphs, and tables

Hypothesis test (25 points):

Statistically correct using correct test and

analysis