The student analysis portion of the laboratory exercises is designed to illustrate a number of things.
1) Data is hard to collect in the real world. Much harder than it appears when I provide examples in class.
2) Sensitize you to the problems with data and how data is reported in the literature.
3) Reinforce the lab technique with data that is associated with your subarea of geography.
4) Further your appreciation of what researchers face in doing their analyses.
5) And finally, its good for you. (
Suggested Lab Outline for Student Data Analysis Required for Laboratory
Assignments
Name:____________
Lab Number:______
Problem: A discussion should be provided that details the question being
examined. Include the hypothesis being tested and how the data you have collected
addresses the hypothesis
Data: Description of the data. Where did you get it and its' strengths and
weaknesses. Is there other information in the same source that you did not use?
Are there missing cases? What are the possible sources of error?
If it is a sample, how was it taken?
Analysis: Copy of computer output or manual calculations should be turned
in. What assumptions if
any did you make? Was there any data manipulation before you did the analysis?
Results: What do you conclude from the analysis? Given the resources, how
might someone else do it better?
Miscellaneous: Anything else you think I should know about your answer.
BUT
