Statistics Project
Perhaps you've been collecting data....
Perhaps you've been collecting data, but you are just not sure what to do with it. Or maybe, you have a research project that you've started, but it just doesn't seem to get finished. Or maybe, you just need another opinion or how to analyze the data. You can request assistance from the students in STA 419, our statistical consulting class. If you have an ongoing research project, and you are interested in involving STA 419 students use this link: PROJECTS.
The STA 419 students are familiar with a variety of statistical procedures including chi-square, t-tests, regression, ANOVA, and nonparametric tests. To a lesser extent they are also familiar with advanced techniques such as factor and discriminant analyses. The STA 419 students are undergraduate students and, for many, this is the first time they are serving in a consulting capacity. So, while the student will be providing some statistical support, you will be making a valuable contribution to the student's education.
The STA 419 instructor will supervise the work being done by the student and will provide the necessary technical guidance to the student. However, the primary consultation will be between you and the student. In fairness to the student, you will need to be available throughout the semester to provide direction via email or phone. By the end of the semester, the student consultant will provide you with a written summary of their involvement in the study.
Service Learning
- All staff, faculty and students who participate in research are expected to perform their work to the highest degree of professional and ethical standards. The responsible conduct of research (RCR) is critical for excellence; you are encouraged to engage in RCR training and education: Responsible Conduct of Research
- If you have an on going research project learn how you might involve STA 419 students via this link: PROJECTS.
- If you are enrolled as a student in STA 419, learn how you can schedule to observe a live consulting via this link: Consulting Session.
Community Partnerships
Catalogue Description
Students will learn a systematic approach to statistical consulting, how to communicate with nonmathematical audiences, and develop the ability to apply appropriate statistical techniques to research questions. Actual experience with current university and industry research projects and SAS/SPSS is given. Prerequisite:STA 216 and two of the following courses: STA 301, STA 310, STA 311, STA 314, STA 315, STA 317, STA 318, and STA 321.
Curriculum
The course has three threads: professional practice, communication, and technical tools. Professional practice deals with for example: ethics, working with clients, defining problems, and interpersonal skills. Communication deals with effective writing, oral presentation, presentation of data via tables and graphs, and publication. Technical tools include some techniques, but mostly thinking about and learning about new ideas, approaches, and techniques.
The course objectives include providing the students with an opportunity to gain experience in:
- statistical consulting,
- manipulating data via a computer,
- applying the appropriate statistical technique for a given situation,
- correctly interpreting the results, and
- communicating the findings in clear, non-mathematical terms
Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) Course
This course is designated SWS. Completion of WRT 150 with a grade of C or better (not C-) is a prerequisite. SWS credit will not be given to a student who completes this course before completing the prerequisite. SWS courses adhere to certain guidelines. Students turn in a total of at least 3000 words of writing. Part of that total may be essay exams, but a substantial amount of it is made up of essays, reports, or research papers. The instructor works with the students on revising drafts of papers, rather than simply grading the finished piece of writing. At least four hours of class time will be devoted to writing instruction. At least one third of the final grade in the course is based on the writing assignments. Students must complete the course with a grade of "C" or better in order to receive SWS credit.
For additional information: Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) Courses
Statistics Publicity Release Form
As a student consultant for the assigned project, your roles include:
- meeting with the clients to understand the project’s questions, goals, objectives, etc.,
- determining the appropriate analyses to investigate the questions,
- generating appropriate output, and
- explaining the output and results to the clients in both a written and oral format.
Additionally, since STA419 is the capstone class, completing the Statistics Publicity Release Form, permits the posting of your powerpoint slides of your project on the Statistics Project Showcase website
Statistics Project Showcase
You're invited to learn about the consulting projects that students in the Statistics Major have been working on this semester. The projects are available virtually on the Statistics Project Showcase website [Note you will need to sign in using your @mail.gvsu.edu]. Check out the projects online anytime and share your feedback via ProjectFeedBack questionnaire. Additionally, STA215 students can obtain extra credit by reviewing the presentations (your instructor will specify how many), completing the STA215ExtraCreditForm, and forwarding responses to your instructor.