Help with Science Project

[McCrea]

A: What does it tell you?

The first results and conclusions are due on December 5, so I will begin to work with graphs and tables of the data this weekend. One surprising result so far – I posted the request on two cat message boards and my dad posted it for me on two canoeing message boards. Lots of canoe people sent me their results and sent e-mail encouraging me but very few people from the cat message boards tried the experiment. My dad says that paddlers rule, but I think it is because people know himon the canoe boards.

B: Is your statistical population large enough for confident results.

I would like to get results from 50 cats. I don’t know if that is large enough, but I will test two more today at my cousins at Thanksgiving. I guess the more the better.

C: Where do you go from here?

I will keep collecting results and start putting it into charts and graphs.

[TheSkeptic]

I too am surprised at the lack of responses. Usually the cat people are eager to help such projects. (I don't have a cat, just 13 dogs so I don't count.)


I would hope for a population of 100 at least for a confident feeling about the results of the tests. I am curious as to what hypothesis you are testing.

[slvrwhispr]

I would absolutely be willing to help if I could get Izzy to focus on one toy (re: shiny or otherwise interesting object) at a time, but htis has proved to be completely impossible.

[Traci]

I too am surprised at the lack of responses. Usually the cat people are eager to help such projects.

Some of us have 8+ cats, therefore making it difficult to devote time to the "experiment", as well as endeavor "individual" testing.

Not a stab, but I also feel when students use the internet for their "projects", the information is easily attainable for them (or someone else does all the work through a "poll or survey", etc) and whatever data they may collect may be slanted, skewed, or inaccurate, since there is no real physical studying or sorting data involved.

[McCrea]

I have two sets of data for my project, one with the cats that I tested and one with the results that other people have provided.

I tested our cats and friends and neighbors cats. That was 15 so far and I can do more this weekend. I have 26 results from other people as well who sent me information from a message board.

[TheSkeptic]

I too am surprised at the lack of responses. Usually the cat people are eager to help such projects.

Some of us have 8+ cats, therefore making it difficult to devote time to the "experiment", as well as endeavor "individual" testing.

Not a stab, but I also feel when students use the internet for their "projects", the information is easily attainable for them (or someone else does all the work through a "poll or survey", etc) and whatever data they may collect may be slanted, skewed, or inaccurate, since there is no real physical studying or sorting data involved.

I can see your point, but also note that for most high school students this allows for a larger supply of data than they can usually get on their own, even if the data may not be as reliable. Plus it gives others a chance to participate in something that they normally may not have a chance to be involved with.