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Survey Project

This is a quantitative survey project where my students must create a survey question, select a sampling technique, collect data, and find measures of center and spread. 

I love this project because it requires the students to investigate and collect data on any topic. I feel that they take the project more seriously because they are able to pick a topic that they find interesting. 

Even though, we have discussed sampling techniques and how to reduce bias, most choose convenience or voluntary response since they have to survey at least 50 people. However, they must examine their chosen technique and relate it to their data and any bias that may occur. 

Because the project requires my students to collect data, I start off a week before with a survey proposal. I created a Google Form where the students must come up with 4 question options and basic information about their survey. I review the questions to make sure they will fit within the restrictions, and email each group my notes. I ask them for 4 questions but they only use ONE for the final project. I want to see more options, just in case their first question doesn't work with the project. (I think I might make a Google Slide/Doc next year, so that I can make my comments right on the document.) I give the students one week to collect their data, and then we start on the report in class where they can make sense of their data. 

As with everything, when I first assigned the project - I heard some complaints (mainly about asking 50 people), but by the end of the project, students really got involved in finding their data. I could tell that the students enjoyed using math with a topic that was interesting to them. I had everything from how many dogs do you have to rate how you feel about President Trump. 

Now, this is an introductory level sampling project - my colleague SSB has a great extensive project that she uses for AP Stat. I'm sure she will post her version by the end of the year. 

Here are some sample projects: 



Here is my activity: Survey Project 

After I created this project, I found this awesome HyperDoc - so that might be something I try to recreate next year using my project. We will see!!!

~RJ

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