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\title{Stat 849, Fall 2006\\
 Final projects\\
\small{Due: December 18, 2006}}

%Due: October 8, 2004}
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\begin{document}
\maketitle
 The final project consists of either applications of
the statistical methodology covered in lectures to a dataset of
your choice or review of a paper from the provided list at
\url{http://www.stat.wisc.edu/~st849-1/private/finalprojectpapers.html}.
As your final output, a \textbf{written report} and a
\textbf{poster presentation} are required. You should know what
exactly you will be doing by now.


The written report and poster presentation should include the
following:

\begin{itemize}
\item Background on the scientific question of interest. This
section should include answers to the following and similar
questions: What is it that you are trying to answer? What is the
purpose of this investigation? If you are working on a dataset,
where do the data come from? Why are people interested in this
dataset? What are the dimensions? What types of variables are
there?...

If you are reviewing a paper, this section should discuss the
topic of the paper and its importance, possibly including some
relevant background literature.


\item Background on statistical methodology. In this section,
explain the type of statistical methodology you are using and why
you think it might be appropriate. Mention explicitly how the
statistical methodology will be applied/implemented. Discuss the
relevance and appropriateness of the methodology.


\item Present your results.  This section should include all your
analysis. It is extremely crucial that you discuss you results. Do
not just present raw \texttt{R} output, i.e., a bunch of numbers,
but be clear about what the implications of your analysis are in
terms of the scientific question you are trying to answer.
Possibly compare alternative methods. When  possible, present your
results with simple tables and well labelled graphs. This is the
core of your project, and you have to make the reader believe that
you have done a good job and are providing insights/answers on a
well defined scientific question.

If you are reviewing a paper, this is the part where you present
the main result in the paper and fill in the gaps in the
corresponding  proofs. You should try to make the presentation of
the result as simple as possible. Possibly reproduce numerical
analysis (simulations or data analysis) presented in the paper. If
you can think of a relevant aspect that is not covered in the
paper, investigate it either by simulations or theoretically. If
the paper provides a software, you can think of applying the
presented method  to a dataset that is not used in the paper.

\item Discuss possible limitations, extensions, and improvements.
This is the section where you can familiarize yourself with
relatively advanced topics that we did not cover in class. For
example, if you conclude that despite all your efforts, the
statistical methodology that you use does not seem to produce
interpretable results, you can discuss it here and  suggest
alternative methods and analysis as future work.

\end{itemize}

\textbf{General comments.}
\begin{itemize}
\item Spell check your final document!!! If there are many typos
and grammar errors, that indicates that you did not spend enough
time on writing it. (Many of you had typos on the project
proposals!)

\item Your final document should tell a story and it should be
easy to read. This is not like homework assignments where you are
giving answers to posed questions. You should try to have sections
with names INTRODUCTION, METHODS, RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS, and
DISCUSSION. The reader (I) cannot spend hours trying to figure out
what is it that you are trying to do and what your conclusions
are. Make sure every sentence you write conveys a clear message
and the flow of the text is natural.


\item The final report should be typed, handwritten reports  are
unacceptable.


\end{itemize}

\textbf{Poster presentation.} On December 20th 2004, we will have a
poster presentation session where you will have the chance to
present your work to me and to the Department of Statistics. A
poster is a way of communication that is in between a paper and an
oral presentation. If you have never prepared a poster before,
check out \url{www.siam.org/siamnews/general/poster.htm} or
\url{http://www.engconfintl.org/poster.pdf} or
\url{http://www.aug.edu/pkp/000120Myers/}. Your poster does not
need to be fancy, it should be comprehensive, clear and easy to
follow.


\textbf{Both the final project report and the poster presentation are due December 18, 2006.}\\

\textbf{You are also required to write 1/2-1 page critique of someoneelse's poster (to be determined at the poster session). This is due by 10:30am on Dec 19, 2006.}

\end{document}
