Mathematics in the Modern World | Statistics and Data

Performance Task: Analyzing College Life Through Quantitative Data

Objective: To gather, analyze, organize, and present quantitative data on aspects of college life, using
descriptive statistics to uncover patterns and insights among fellow students on campus.

Students will design and conduct a survey targeting their fellow college students to gather quantitative data on
an aspect of college life of their choosing. The focus could range from academic habits, social activities,
lifestyle choices, to financial aspects of college life. Students will use descriptive statistics to analyze the
collected data and present their findings, offering a snapshot of student life on campus through a mathematical
lens.

Instructions
1. Group Formation and Topic Selection
1.1. Form groups of 3-4 students.
1.2. Select a specific aspect of college life you wish to investigate. Ensure it allows for quantitative
data collection.
2. Survey Design
2.1. Develop a survey that includes quantitative questions relevant to your chosen topic. Ensure
questions are clear, concise, and unbiased.
2.2. Questions should aim to gather numerical data that can be analyzed statistically (e.g., hours
spent studying per day, number of extracurricular activities participated in, weekly expenditure
on food).
3. Data Collection
3.1. Conduct your survey among a diverse group of college students on campus. Aim for a sample
size that is large enough to provide meaningful insights, considering the size of your college.
3.2. Utilize digital tools for efficient data collection and management.
4. Data Analysis
4.1. Use descriptive statistics to analyze your collected data. This should include calculating
measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of dispersion (range,
variance, standard deviation).
4.2. Graphically represent your findings using appropriate charts or graphs to illustrate patterns or
trends in the data.
5. Presentation of Findings
5.1. Prepare a detailed report presenting your methodology, analysis, and findings. Use visual aids
like tables and graphs to enhance understanding.
5.2. Highlight any interesting patterns or insights gained from your analysis. Discuss potential
implications for student life and campus policies.
6. Use Paper Format
6.1. Title Page: Include the title of your project, group members' names, course title, and date.
6.2. Abstract: A brief summary of the project, including the topic, methodology, key findings, and
conclusions.
6.3. Introduction: Introduce your topic, state the purpose of the survey, and justify its relevance.
6.4. Methodology: Describe how the survey was designed, the population and sample size, and the
method of data collection.
6.5. Results: Present the quantitative data collected. Use tables, graphs, and charts to illustrate your
data. Provide a detailed analysis using descriptive statistics.
6.6. Discussion: Interpret the results, discussing the trends and patterns identified. Compare your
findings with existing literature or expected outcomes.
6.7. Conclusions and Recommendations: Summarize the key findings and their implications.
Suggest actionable recommendations based on your analysis.
6.8. References: List all sources cited in your report.
6.9. Appendices: Include a copy of the survey questionnaire and any other supplementary material.