STAT 401 Team Projects

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You can get a pdf copy of the cover sheet here.
The project is due Friday, April 28.
You should turn it into the statistics office, 326 Thomas, from 8:00-12:00 or 1:00-5:00.
Objective: Primarily to familiarize yourself with use of statistics in the solution of actual engineering problems, but also to aid in the synthesis of knowledge learned in the classroom.

Description: The project involves the following steps.

1.
Form a group of two to five people. The students in a group may come from any of the three sections.
2.
Decide on a topic. The topic must entail the use of statistics in the solution of a scientifically-enlightening engineering problem. A list of topics from previous semesters is given below.
3.
Find appropriate data to analyze. Sources for this data are the various engineering journals. A list of such journals in which statistical methods often appear is given below.
4.
Complete and turn in the form which identifies the group members, selected topic, and source of the data.
5.
Write a report on the project. Each group is to hand in only one report. The report MUST be typed and double spaced and can be a maximum of seven pages long - any additional pages will be discarded.
6.
Attach copy of the original data source.

The report should discuss the following:

1.
The source of the data and the scientific problem to be solved.
2.
The method the group has selected to solve the problem, such as, but not limited to, the construction of a confidence interval, the test of an hypothesis, an analysis of variance, or a linear regression for the solution of the engineering problem at hand. (In almost all cases, some hypothesis should be tested.)
3.
Why the selected method is the correct method to solve the problem, including the justification of any assumptions needed by the method (like normality or equal variances). Note that if the assumptions cannot be justified, then the method is probably incorrect.
4.
The implementation of the method.
5.
The conclusion arrived at by the group.

Grading: The report will be graded on the following points.

1.
Appropriateness of the topic. (Is the problem scientifically enlightening?)
2.
Clarity of the presentation.
3.
Discussion and selection of the method of analysis.
4.
Justification of any assumptions needed by the selected method.
5.
Correctness of the implementation of the selected method.
6.
Appropriateness of the conclusion.
Any report received from a group consisting of only one student will receive an automatic deduction of 15%.

Topics: The following topics are not appropriate for this assignment.

The following topics require special pre-approval by your instructor.

Below are several other topics used by students in the past. These are intended only to guide you in the selection of your own topic.

Journals: The following engineering journals may provide a starting point for deciding on a topic and as a source of data.