Unit 2 - Research Methods
Useful Links for the three research projects:
HW Assignment - Why do high schools in MCPS have such different SAT scores? Need to ‘survey’ at least 5 high schools in MCPS and examine at least 10 variables. You could expand survey to include other high schools if you can get the same information for them as you have in your survey for MCPS.
- Links to all high schools in MCPS - under tab for High Schools
- Link to Schools at a Glance - if you click on each high school you find a summary of information on each, SAT scores are on the 2nd page.
- Link to MCPS Data on SATs - at the bottom of the page
Formative Assignment - Why do states have such different high school graduation rates? Need to ‘survey at least 5 states and examine at least 10 variables. You could expand survey to include more states, or include cities within the states for further information, but make sure you can get the same information from all.
- 2010 Census
- New York Times' Mapping the Census Site
- Washington Post's Interactive Site: Mapping the Census
- Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the US: 1972-2009
- Public High School Graduation Rates
- State Dropout and Completion Data
- Indicators for Elementary and Secondary Education
- Washington Post Article on High School Graduation Rate
- Public High School Graduation Rates through 2009
Other Data Sources
- National Survey of Families and Households
- American Community Survey (from US Census)
- National Longitudinal Survey (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Maryland Genuine Progress Indicator
Summative Assignment - Why do students perform differently academically? Can narrow this down to a variety of topics like: complete their assigned course readings, do their homework, study for tests, come on time to school, pay attention in class, etc. Need to survey at least 50 students at Northwood but from a range of classes (freshmen to seniors, on-level to AP, etc.). You could expand survey to include students from other schools, but you need to get the same information from them, and need to pick students randomly if possible.
Other Means of Showing Data (some allow you to upload data)-
Sample survey: