R

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in progress This lesson uses freely available statistics software to help analyze the outcome of a scientific experiment. Students will often believe that if one plant grows two inches higher than another that it is definitive proof of something. Statisticians know that it's always a question of probability. "Is there less than a 5% chance that this observation is the result of random chance?"

This activity has students collect experimental data and then use statistical software to help determine if the observations are likely due to the treatment or random chance. This is an important concept and should be discussed with students. If you do not have some experience with statistics, be sure to do a little research before beginning. The software will only tell you what you ask. It doesn't tell you want the data means. Interpreting the results is up to you and your students.
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 *Students will conduct a scientific experiment and collect data
 *Students will understand about independent and dependent variables
 *Students will learn the importance of accurate observation and data collection
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=== Objective ===
 === Objectives ===
 *Students will be able to keep an accurate log of observations and data
 *Students will input their data into the statistical software and run the appropriate analysis.
 *Students will draw conclusions about their experiment and use the statistical output to support those conclusions.

The [http://www.r-project.org/ R-Project] is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics(from website). It is a complex command line program and is usually used in conjunction with a graphical interface. Two possible GUIs are [http://rkward.sourceforge.net/ RKWard] and [http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/jfox/Misc/Rcmdr/ R Commander].

Lesson Overview

This lesson uses freely available statistics software to help analyze the outcome of a scientific experiment. Students will often believe that if one plant grows two inches higher than another that it is definitive proof of something. Statisticians know that it's always a question of probability. "Is there less than a 5% chance that this observation is the result of random chance?"

This activity has students collect experimental data and then use statistical software to help determine if the observations are likely due to the treatment or random chance. This is an important concept and should be discussed with students. If you do not have some experience with statistics, be sure to do a little research before beginning. The software will only tell you what you ask. It doesn't tell you want the data means. Interpreting the results is up to you and your students.

GRADE LEVEL

  • This activity is appropriate for basic scientific data analysis in upper elementary or middle school (could also be adapted to high school). It is tied to a data collection activity in science but can be easily adapted to any type of data activity. The only limitation is your imagination.

DURATION

  • The activity will take several weeks to complete. The majority of the time is simply the data collection of growing plants. The actual data analysis should take no longer that an hour and even less if you input the data. However, I would encourage you to let students input the data and run the analysis. It will be fun for the students and more meaningful. If you want to use a different experiment as the source of the data that is certainly possible. Again, feel free to adapt it to whatever activity works for you.

MATERIALS

  • Computer lab with R software and at least one GUI front-end installed

  • Attached Handout with directions and questions (coming soon)
  • A journal for collecting daily observations
  • Any reference materials you feel are appropriate

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

  • Go through a sample data analysis at least once yourself prior to having students do it.
  • This will probably work best as a small group activity. Have each student record their own observations and then use the average to help control for measurement error. You could also run an analysis on the separate student data to check for differences. Play with this as you see fit.
  • At some point, encourage students to share information with another student or group.
  • Download and modify the handout to fit your needs. It is in both Open Office and MS Word formats.

Goals

  • Students will conduct a scientific experiment and collect data
  • Students will understand about independent and dependent variables
  • Students will learn the importance of accurate observation and data collection

Objectives

  • Students will be able to keep an accurate log of observations and data
  • Students will input their data into the statistical software and run the appropriate analysis.
  • Students will draw conclusions about their experiment and use the statistical output to support those conclusions.

Procedure

Lessons/R (last edited 2008-08-06 16:37:51 by localhost)