You will need to collect data to help you answer your research question.
An important part of this project is learning how to organize and analyze the data yourself. As a result it is especially important that you are collecting raw data- the list of all responses before it has been organized and analyzed by someone else.
I realize much of the background research you have done probably has some statistics in it, (for example: 98% of teenagers use social media), while this statistic may be useful the data that the researchers used to get this statistic is what you're looking for!
Here are some ways that you can collect your data.
Use the Internet:
There are lots of websites out there that will give you results from surveys and other sources. Use them!
data.gov This is the home of the US Government's data. It is a huge database that covers all different topics and houses most of the data that the government collects on us!
census.gov This website houses all of the information collected by the US census every 10 years. It should have lots of information that you're looking for!
amstat.org Students from all over the country have answered this survey about general student related topics and the website gives you access to all of their responses!
Government Websites Most government websites will have data that you can use. Try to find the one that is specific to your research question.
Sources Quoted in your Research: All of you have done great research! Many of the articles you have found, quote studies or other research that has been done. Click on those links or google search information and see if you can find the data they used to make their conclusions. Also most graphs and charts found in articles will site a source. Look that up!
Survey People Yourself:
A great way to get information directly from the source... Create your own survey!
Create a google form in your google drive and email it out to people you know (I will be more than happy you get you a list of emails if you want to contact other TYWLS students!)
Please remember to test your questions before you start surveying people (Remember our experience in class when you tried to create your own questions? They need to be tested to prevent confusion and ambiguity.)
Have an organized method for collecting your data! (Google Forms will put your responses in a nice spread sheet.... you may consider making your own if you are collecting your data another way!)
Ask Your Teachers!
We have access to all sorts of data that you may not know about... email us and ask for some help! Make sure you sepecify that you do not need/want names of students only the other data about them
Emily - Grades, State Test Scores, Regents Test Scores
James and Tara - Fitness Test Results
Lauren Q - SAT scores, PSAT scores, colleges attended by allums, anything college related
Dawn - may have nutrition or lunch related information
Jessica - everything about the school and it's students!
Reflection:
Please refelect on the work that your goup was able to accomplish today by filling out this survey.