Techniques of Statistical Analysis I
2011/2012
Applied Research Project and Report
GOAL
You are required to design an applied research project that can be completed with secondary data, using one or more of the techniques introduced in this course to analyse data, interpret the results and draw conclusions.
The goals of the project are
ď‚· make you confident on the several phases of an empirical research project (and make you aware of the related difficulties)
ď‚· develop your ability to use some of the techniques introduced in this course to answer substantive questions in the social sciences
ď‚· develop your ability to write a research report.
SUBMISSION
The project has to be sent by email by the midnight of the day BEFORE the date of the final exam AND a paper copy delivered the day of the exam. If you conducted your research project in group, a single email and a single paper copy is sufficient.
PHASES
1) Form a group (if you do not want to work alone).
2) Choose ONE (clear and specific) research question that is of interest for all the group members (whatever question related to social science) and look for a dataset that is suitable to answer this question. (Please note that it is possible that you start with a given research question but then you have to adjust a bit it accordingly to the dataset you found).
3) Perform the statistical analyses with Stata or whatever other software (R, SPSS, etc.).
GROUP
The applied research project may be conducted by students working alone or in groups of up to 3 members. You may choose your group. (I suggest you to form a group with other students interested in similar topics to you, e.g. immigration, political behaviours, fertility, etc. I would also encourage you to mix with students from different background. This would be a value-added for your work).
The idea of working in a group is to help one another to learn, so I expect you all to contribute to each part of the project, rather than to break the project up into activities or sections.
Form a group as early as possible!
SELECTING A DATA SET
You are free to choose a research question and a suitable dataset. A list of data sources will be provided through the Aula Global. You are encouraged to look for alternative data that might be more interesting for you.
STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT
The length of the project report should be between 6 and 8 pages (Hint: go straight to the point!), 12 point Times New Roman, single spaced, with 2.5cm margins all round. The page limit includes tables and charts but it excludes appendixes and the cover page. You will be marked down if the assignment exceeds 8 pages! The appendixes can contain additional useful tables, charts or parts of a questionnaire. Only use appendixes if they are really necessary!
The project is worth 30% of your final grade. All students in the group will receive the same grade, so manage your group carefully and avoid free-riding!
The report should include the following sections. I’ve included a guide to the relative length of each section. This is approximate. Different reports will have a slightly different emphasis on different sections.
Cover page
Includes the title of the report and its word length, group members’ names and student numbers ID, and a declaration that the report is the original work of the members of the group, in the form provided below.
Abstract
A single paragraph should briefly describe the purpose of your analysis, what you did, and the conclusions you reached. This section is often easier to write last. Please note this is not an introduction to your report but a snapshot summary.
Guide to length: One/two paragraphs
Introduction
Begin your report with a paragraph in which you describe the research problem or question and why it is important or interesting. If you found works in the literature addressing the same problem, make clear what is new/different in your approach or what is your contribution. If you establish any hypotheses, state the hypotheses.
Guide to length: up to 3 paragraphs
Data and methods
Name the source of your data and, if appropriate, how the data were collected, including any sampling method that you applied to the original data set. Devote particular attention to the description of the variables you will use in your analyses (e.g., provide a definition of the variable, its measurement scale, the role it will play in your study). (If you have a dependent variable, begin by describing the dependent variable.)
Provide a succinct description of the data, using appropriate descriptive statistics and charts. Describe any decisions you made as a result of preliminary screening of the data. (Be synthetic! Include only what is really relevant to see!)
Name the statistical technique or techniques you will use and outline the assumptions underlying them. (There is no need to describe in details the technique(s)!) Make clear why the dataset and the statistical technique(s) you choose are suitable to answer your research question.
Guide to length: 2-3 pages
Results
Present the results of your analyses. It is not necessary to show formulae or computations, but is essential that you explain how to interpret the results in light of the stated research question. Are your hypotheses confirmed? Why?
Concluding remarks
Draw conclusions as the result of your analysis. The conclusions might concern implications for policy, business, further research that might build on what you have done, or a combination of these. Does your research suggest a new question?
Briefly discuss possible limitations of your study. These could refer either to the data or to the statistical technique(s) you used. (E.g.: Is there a variable you needed that it was not available? Are there too many missing data? Are the assumptions underlying your techniques too strong?).
Guide to length: max 1 page
References
Give full details of any sources that you have used. Make sure all quotations from your sources are indented or in inverted commas.
ORIGINAL WORK
All work submitted for this assignment must be the original work of the students named on the cover page. You must include the following declaration on the cover page. Every member of your group must sign it:
In submitting this assignment:
1. We declare that this written assignment is our own work and does not include (i) material from published sources used without proper acknowledgment or (ii) material copied from the work of other students.
2. We declare that this assignment has not been submitted for assessment in any other course at any university.
Penalties for plagiarism
Copying of work without acknowledgement is known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered a serious breach of academic practice and may be subject to sanction from the Rector and the Faculty Council.
Any assignments found to be copied in whole or in part from any source (including other students) will be awarded 0. You will not be permitted to resubmit the assignment. In the case that I receive two or more identical or very similar (e.g., paraphrased) assignments, all individuals or groups who have submitted the assignments will be awarded 0, and the students involved will not be permitted to resubmit.
