General Project Guidelines
Data Interpretation Projects

[Revised: September 17, 2006]

Overview

The data interpretation projects serve multiple purposes. 

• The student encounters various types of existing social data from sources like the FBI's Uniform Crime Report and the U.S. Census.

• The student will learn to create project-specific charts and graphs from the data provided.

• The student will prepare three 3-to-6 page reports which analyze sets of social and economic data.

The projects should take no more that an hour or two each.   All data is provided.  There is no need to go to the web in search of new data.  If you find yourself spending a lot of time on this project, drop me an e-mail and tell me what you are doing.

Project Submission

The student can either create these papers on electronic spreadsheets or he or she can do them "the old fashion way" by using plain (or graph) paper and a ruler. 

Submissions the Old Fashion Way

For many, the data projects may be easier done the old fashion way using plain or graph paper. 

Electronic Submissions

I prefer that students create their projects electronically.   If the student has never created graphs and charts electronically, this is an excellent opportunity to visit the computer help desk at your local college in an effort to learn this skill.  I also provide details on this process within the projects.

Create the projects using programs such as Excel, Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint.

Warning:  I have big problems with Microsoft Works.  If you must use Works, please save your files as either a *.rtf or *.html.  I can not open  *.wps files.

Electronic projects will be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail.

Request:  Please put all the components of your project in one file.  For example, the student can create graphs and charts in Excel and then write their summaries in excel.  Or, the student can write the summaries in Word and paste the graphs and charts into the Word document.    Regardless of the approach, the student should send me no more than one file per project.

File Naming Protocol:  I receive dozens of data projects from various sources.  I save those files on my hard drive.  It is there fore, imperative that I be able to quickly recognize a particular students work from the file name. Use the following format when savings your projects.

Nancy Wilson Project 1.doc   (WORD)

Willie Smith Project 3.xls    (EXCEL)

Jose Long Project 2.ppt    (PowerPoint)

Excel:  I provide details on how to create graphs in Excel.  The student will find those guidelines in Projects 1 and 2 or the student can Click Here.

Points to Consider

Before beginning the projects consider the points below.

  Do not submit these projects in bits and pieces. Give me only completed projects (e.g., do not send me parts 1 and 2 on one day, and parts 3 and 4 on another day).

  Put all parts of your project in one computer file before you send it to me.  I suggest doing every thing in Excel, MS Word, or Power point.  Excel is best because I can easily manipulate your data and graphs if you are having problems.

  Printing Data Tables:   The student may want to work with the data on the web.  Some of the tables are huge.  The student does not have to print these charts unless they especially want to.  When making printed copies of the charts from the web, consider using the "landscape" option when printing.  Sometimes these charts are too wide to fit on 8x11" paper (portrait style).

Put your name on every piece of paper that they turn in, mail, or fax me.

Always!!! Keep back-up copies of the work that you submit to me!