Math 1231 Online Projects
Summer 2003

The following instructions must be followed for all projects or they will be returned without grading:

1. You will work your Bulletin Board group members and turn in "joint" reports for all projects.  All students in one group will earn the same grade.  If during the semester, for any reason, you want to work with a different student(s), you may do so without explanation, but you must let me know ahead of time.  You cannot leave your groupmates hanging.

2. You must use DataDesk software to aid you in performing the calculations and to help you to find the answer(s).  Data Desk WILL NOT WORK unless you have the CD in your CD drive.   DO NOT USE EXCEL!!!!!   DO NOT USE EXCEL!!!!!  DO NOT USE EXCEL!!!!!  DO NOT USE EXCEL!!!!!

3. WHEN ENTERING DATA IN DATA DESK (OR EXCEL), IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ONLY ENTER DIGITS OR DECIMALS.  DATA DESK DOES NOT UNDERSTAND COMMAS, DOLLAR SIGNS, OR ANY OTHER NON-NUMERICAL SYMBOL.  DO NOT INPUT THESE WITH YOUR DATA.

4. You must use Microsoft Word to write a report of at least one page summarizing your findings.  Write this as an essay, not a list of statistics.  I suggest you include an introduction, then your analysis, and either suggestions/recommendations or a conclusion.  Defend your suggestion/recommendations by integrating numbers and graphs into the context of your sentences.  If you refer to a graph, you MUST PROVIDE it!!!   Do NOT write out definitions nor calculations.  You are supposed to interpret these statistics not explain how they are calculated.   It is also critical that you insert graphs next to the text where you discuss the graph  (when you are reading a newspaper or magazine article, you do not want to search for the pictures, etc they are describing so do not make your reader do this).   Directions follow below on how to copy graphs from Data Desk to Word -- it's NOT hard (but I am willing to help anyone who might have trouble).

5. Email a Word document to kimrobinson@mail.clayton.edu.  Do not use WebCT email to send projects to me.  Headings at the top of each attachment must include your Full Name, Date, Project Number, and Class Section (Online).  When I have received the assignment, I will reply "Project Received" to the individual who submits the Word attachment via email.  I SUGGEST you copy your group members when you submit the project to me.  IF YOU DO THIS, then I will return the graded copy to all members at the same time.

6. Each project is worth 25 points: 20 points for statistical reasoning and explanations; 5 points for grammar and presentation.

7. Since the assignment dates are provided at the Orientation meeting, no late projects will be accepted, for any reason, including, but not limited to, illness, natural disasters, theft, and your pet's dietary idiosyncrasies, don't ask.

8. When you receive your graded copy back, there will be comments inserted.  To read the comment, simply place the mouse over the yellow highlighted area (do NOT click), and the comment will appear.  If you have questions about printing graded copies, please read the instructions for Electronic Evaluation of Student Writing

9. Click here to access an example of an article in a journal.  I don't expect you to be this technical, but notice the way the statistics are integrated into the text.

Hints for working with Data Desk

Instructions to enter data in Excel and import in Data Desk

Adjust Histograms so both (or all) graphs are on the same scale

Instructions to copy and paste from Data Desk to Word

Instructions to wrap text around a Data Desk box (a graph or statistics)