verview:
The objective of this experiment is to explore and model the effect of a single categorical variable on the flight of a paper airplane.
The measurements need to include one (1) continuous numerical variable (the response) and one (1) categorical variable (an explanatory factor) which must have at least 4 different levels.
You will need at least 20 measurements at each level of your categorical variable. Note that you do not need an equal number of replicates in each level of your categorical variable.
You should design and conduct the experiment using 'good' experimental design so you need to carefully consider replication and randomisation. (You do not need to use blocking.)
Choose a research question to investigate.
You can use one of the following questions OR you can create your own question based on another numerical response measurement and/or another categorical factor that can be varied.
1. Does the flight time of a paper airplane differ depending on the design of the airplane?
2. Does the flight time of a paper airplane differ depending on the weight of the airplane? (e.g. Using number of paper clips added [0 ,1 ,2 and 3] OR different weights of paper)
3. Is the distance travelled by a paper airplane different for paper airplanes of different sizes? (e.g. constructed from A4, A5, A6 and A7 paper)
Prepare a report by answering the following questions in the answer spaces provided. You can re- size the answer spaces.
This assignment is marked out of 35 marks. Mark allocation is noted next to each section heading. Note that 4 of these marks will be given for presentation.
Presentation : Your report length should be no more than six pages including graphics but excluding data.
Part A: Introduction
1. State the research question you investigated
State the research question you investigated. [1mark]
2. Describe the variables you used and how you measured them, including the units used for your numeric variable. [2 marks]
Part B: Experimental Design
Describe what you did and why you made the decisions you did. [9 marks]
- Attach a copy of your data to your report as an appendix. [1 mark]
Keep an electronic copy of the data for use in Assignment 2.
Write your answer here
Include:
Details on what the levels of your categorical variable are.
Details on how you recorded your numerical variable. Details on the order of the experimental runs.
Describe your use of replication and randomisation.
Discuss how you tried to ensure that the experimental units were as similar as possible. Comment on any practical difficulties you encountered.
Changes you would make to your method if you were going to repeat this task.
Ensure you include enough detail so that someone reading your report could repeat your experiment.
Part C: Data analysis
Use Minitab Express (or Minitab) and incorporate the output into your report.
1. Simple descriptive analysis
Draw side-by-side dot plots and boxplots of your numerical variable to compare the levels of the categorical variable.
For each level of your categorical variable, produce numerical summaries of the numerical variable. Include the sample size, mean, standard deviation and the five number summary.
Describe the important features of your data, as shown by your graphs and numerical summaries.
1. Confidence intervals
- For each level of your categorical variable, produce a 95% confidence interval for the mean of your numerical variable.
- Interpret the confidence intervals in the context of your research question, by completing the following sentence for each level of your categorical variable: We are 95% confident that the...
Part D: Discussion and Conclusion
Discuss what your analysis tells you about your research question.
Write your answer here
Your comments should consider the following questions:
Are you able to answer the initial question?
Are there any other issues that might need to be considered in answering the initial question? Are you able to generalise what you have learnt beyond the paper planes you studied?