🔬 Capstone Research Project — Session 8: You Are a Data Scientist

Data Science for Young Minds · Grade 5 · Ages 10–11 · Complete all 5 stages

Name

Date

Class Period

Stage 1 — Ask: Research Question & Hypothesis

Write a specific, testable research question you can answer with data you collect today.

My Research Question:

My Hypothesis (use the formula: "I predict that ___ because ___"):

Independent Variable (what I'm measuring or comparing):

What type of data is this? (circle one)

Quantitative | Qualitative | Both

Instructor approval: ☐ Get your question checked before moving to Stage 2.

Stage 2 — Plan: Methodology

How will I collect my data? (circle one)

Survey | Observation | Experiment | Existing data

Describe your method in detail:

My sample:

Who:

How many:

Sampling method: (circle one)

Random | Convenience | Stratified

What could make my sample biased? How will I address it?

Ethics check: Did I get consent from participants? (circle) Yes | N/A (observational data only)

Stage 3 — Collect: Data Table

Record your data below. Add column headers based on your research question. Aim for at least 10 rows.

#	Variable 1: ___________________________	Variable 2: ___________________________
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
∑	Total / most common: _______________	Total / most common: _______________

% = count ÷ total × 100

Category / Value 1:

Count: ___ % = ___ ÷ ___ × 100 = ___%

Category / Value 2:

Count: ___ % = ___ ÷ ___ × 100 = ___%

Category / Value 3 (if applicable):

Count: ___ % = ___ ÷ ___ × 100 = ___%

Stage 4 — Analyze: Graphs & Interpretation

Graph 1 — Bar Chart or Pie Chart

Title: ________________________________

X-axis label: ____________ Y-axis label: ____________

Draw your chart here. Label each bar or slice with its % value.

Graph 2 — Scatter Plot or Second Bar Chart

Title: ________________________________

X-axis label: ____________ Y-axis label: ____________

Draw your chart here. If scatter plot, draw a trend line if visible.

What pattern do you see in your data? Describe it in 1–2 sentences:

Is this a correlation, causation, or neither? How do you know?

Circle: Correlation | Causation | Neither | Unsure

C-E-R Conclusion:

CLAIM — Was your hypothesis supported or not supported?

EVIDENCE — Cite specific numbers from your data table and graphs

REASONING — How does the evidence support your claim? What might explain the pattern?

Stage 5 — Reflect: Limitations, Ethics & Next Steps

Identify at least 2 limitations of your study:

Ethics check — circle your answers:

Did participants know what the data was for?	Yes \| No \| N/A
Was participation voluntary?	Yes \| No \| N/A
Did you keep responses anonymous?	Yes \| No \| N/A
Did you report what you actually found (even if it didn't support your hypothesis)?	Yes \| No

If you had more time, a bigger sample, or better tools — what would you do differently?

What new question did your study make you wonder about?

🎓 Course Reflection — 8 Sessions Complete

Complete each sentence honestly.

The most important thing I learned in this course is:

I used to think ________________, but now I think ________________ because:

One question I want to keep investigating:

My data scientist pledge:

"As a data citizen, I will always ask how they know that — and I will never use data to harm others."

Signature: