Data Writing Assignment

Assignment: Classify Your Data Due Date: November 23rd (Monday) at the start of class Purpose: Use the new information you’ve learned about the types of qualitative and quantitative data to describe your responding variable(s).

Assignment Requirements: (you can √check them off as you work)  Write a well-developed response with proper CUPS  Identify the responding variable(s) in your independent research project including units.  Classify the responding variable(s) in your project as quantitative (continuous, discrete, ratio, interval) and and/or qualitative (nominal, ordinal) and explain why you’ve chosen that classification.  Evaluate your data collection method(s) by describing at least two positives and two improvements.  Complete the rubric below and attach the rough draft from class on Thursday to earn full credit.

Criteria and Points for Student Name: __________________ Response is typed OR written neatly in paragraph form with proper CUPS. (10 points) Responding variable(s) are correctly identified as quantitative and/or qualitative, as well as continuous, discrete, ratio, interval, nominal, and ordinal. Explanations for classifications are clear. (25 points) Evaluation of data collection methods includes at least two positives and two improvements. (10 points) Student grade column is completed and rough draft from class on Thursday is turned in with the completed assignment. (5 points) TOTAL:

This grade will go in the research project category. (25% of your grade)

Student Grade

Teacher Grade and Comments

For my independent research project I am studying the relationship between dog breed and the amount of drool a dog produces. Two types of data were collected to analyze this relationship. One responding variable was the weight of the dog, measured in kilograms. I actually measured the dog in pounds first, because that is the only scale that I could find to measure a large animal, and then I multiplied pounds times 0.4536 to calculate kilograms. Measuring weight in pounds is qualitative data and was helpful to calculate an average weight for each breed, as well as notice variation due to obesity in the breed. Measuring weight in kilograms is considered to be continuous qualitative data because a dog could be a weight that includes partial units, for example 36.4 kg. Dog weight in kilograms would also be considered interval data because I was not measuring dog weight from a brand new puppy. There is no absolute zero for the weight of a dog. Additionally, I measured the amount of drool a dog produces in drops. A drop was considered a bead of saliva hitting a sheet of paper on the floor beneath the dog. Drops are a quantitative data unit with only whole integers, and would be considered discrete because I cannot measure partial drops. Drops of drool would also be interval data because there is no zero point for measuring drool. Overall, I feel successful with my data collection. I was very precise when measuring the dog weight because part of my procedure was to weigh them when they had not eaten recently. I also measured the drool using a video camera, so that I could go back and replay the video to be sure of the amount of drool falling when it was moving quickly. To improve my data collection it would have been easier to use a scale with kilograms, so I would not have to convert the units. I also should have collected the drool collected into a container and actually measured the drool in milliliters because the drops were different sizes. Overall, collecting drool from dogs was a messy experience, but when I analyze the data I should have enough information to determine a relationship.

This grade will go in the research project category. (25% of your grade)