Higher Applications of Mathematics

Statistical project support

A practical guide for planning, analysing and writing up a Higher Applications statistical project using cautious evidence-based language.

Current project conditions

The project is worth 30 marks (27% of the course assessment). It has research and report stages, should take no more than 8 hours, and a report over 2,200 words receives the current stated deduction.

This page is preparation guidance, not a report template. Your assessed project must be your own work, and your teacher or lecturer applies the official assessment conditions.

Choose a statistical question

Make it specific and answerable with data.
Use language such as 'Is there a relationship between...' or 'Is the mean different from...'

Choose suitable data

Check that variables match the question.
Mention sample size, source and possible bias.

State hypotheses where needed

The null hypothesis usually says there is no difference or no effect.
The alternative hypothesis says what you are looking for evidence of.

Select graphs and summaries

Use histograms or box plots for distributions.
Use scatter plots, correlation and regression for relationships.

Interpret RStudio output

Do not copy output without explaining it.
State what the key value, interval or p-value means in context.

Write conclusions carefully

Use 'This suggests...' or 'There is evidence to suggest...'
Avoid unsupported claims and remember correlation does not prove causation.

Explain limitations

Mention small samples, biased samples, missing values or measurement issues.
Explain how the limitation could affect the conclusion.

Report structure

Question, data, method, results, interpretation, conclusion, limitations.
Keep graphs labelled and refer to them in the writing.