Part I:  Writing a report on an estimate of a population mean or population proportion reported upon in the media

Find a report in the media involving an estimate of a population mean or a population proportion.  Briefly describe the process used by those who conducted the study in coming up with the estimate.  If the sampling process that was used is not described in the report, describe how you think the study may have been conducted.  

Discuss (in writing) the potential for non-sampling errors that may exist as a result of how the study was conducted (or how you think the study was conducted) and how the potential for non-sampling errors could have been reduced and/or eliminated.

Part II:  Designing and Writing a Report on a Statistical Study of Your Own

Select a question of your own to investigate using one of the hypothesis tests studied in this class.  Explain why you chose the particular question to investigate. State a provable claim (corresponding to the alternative hypothesis).  Write the null and alternative hypotheses.  Determine which hypothesis test is appropriate. 

Describe the process you would use for conducting your study.  Include a description of the sampling procedure (including sample size) you would use to ensure the conditions for the particular hypothesis test are satisfied.

You are not expected to actually conduct the study.  Analyze the process you described for conducting your study.  Discuss the possibility of bias and/or other factors that could contribute to non-sampling error in the outcome of your study.

Your report for your Final Project should be from one to two 1.5–spaced pages using 12 point Times (or a comparably sized) font with 1” margins (should look spaced and sized like this document).  Data, calculations and graphs should be included as appropriate, but are not to count toward the suggested report length.