Here is a GoogleDocs Version of the assignment instructions
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kX1gv1aBYWQMun4b-oln0geXTqPZdHczl8AmntKjCwA/edit?usp=sharing
Please copy to your own account before adjusting.
Here is the local data:
Here is the Census data:
If you would like to try r-fiddle.org you can use this code to read in the data: http://www.r-fiddle.org/#/fiddle?id=YNCxeJKQ
We will survey workers who are 16 years old and older about the amount of time it takes them to travel to work each day. The assignment for each of you is to ask at least two workers who do not work at home to answer this question, “On a typical day, how many minutes does it take you to travel to work?” We will collect all of your results and use the data to create a list, a table, graphs, and then analyze the data.
You are a data analyst and are asked to compare local census data against national census data for the time it takes workers to travel to work each day. You will present graphical representations of this data, as well as any trends, to a county commission. The commission will then use the data you provide to make decisions about transportation needs for your community. Tasks that must be completed to analyze the data include the following:
Yesterday, our class gathered data on the following question: “On a typical day, how many minutes does it take you to travel to work?” The teacher will display the list (raw data) of the times gathered from the students on the board or in the form of a handout.
Submit your data to your teacher and copy the class list, raw data, below.
Now, create a boxplot to summarize your local travel time to work data. Be sure to include appropriate titles, labels, scales, and values in the display. This data display will be presented to the commission.
Make at least 3 observations that you might want to present to the commission.
Now, using the data found in the local travel time to work list, make a frequency table.
(look at national data to determine the time intervals)
Next, create a histogram to summarize this data. Be sure to include appropriate titles, labels, scales, and values in the display. This data display will be presented to the commission.
Mr. Jones is one of the county commissioners. He will recommend conducting a study to determine the need for public transportation if over 70% of the people your class surveyed travel 35 or more minutes to work.
Based on your survey results, will Mr. Jones recommend conducting a study?
Explain your reasoning, using information in your data displays.
Ms. Miller is another of the county commissioners. She thinks that the information provided from your class’ survey is not a representative sample of the people in the county.
Do you agree or disagree with Ms. Miller’s opinion?
Explain your reasoning.
Provide a frequency table for the National Travel Time to Work
Now you will use the national census data to help compare the local and national data. This data display, along with ones you already created, will be shared with the commission. The national data are shown in the table.
The commission will want information about the percentage of people, locally and nationally, who traveled to work during each time interval.
The county commission will need you to answer the following questions. Provide the commission with an explanation for your response to each question.
How does the median local travel time compare to the median national travel time?
What is the difference between the percentage of people who travel 30 or more minutes to work nationally and the percentage of people who travel 30 or more minutes to work locally?
What is the most important similarity between the national data and the local data? Why do you feel it is important for the county commission to know this?
What is the most important difference between the national data and the local data? Why do you feel it is important for the county commission to know this?