Economics Project

Data Analysis Project 

· Using the data sources provided in class, generate two separate files (One Excel & One PowerPoint) and upload them via the submission link in Blackboard by the due date (e-mailed copies will not be accepted).

· Excel: For each of the letters on the next page, create one graph in Excel. Use a separate Excel spreadsheet for each letter. Construct graphs from the data you input into excel only.

· PowerPoint: For each of the letters on the next page, create one graph in PowerPoint and up to three bullet points to narrate the graph. Also place a hyperlink to your data source (cannot grade unless hyperlink works). Use separate PowerPoint pages for each letter below. Graphs should reasonably mirror those generated in Excel and the data must be the same. You are to construct the PowerPoint as though you will be presenting it to your classmates and it will be graded as a presentation so consider the following:

o Introduction slide with name(s) of presenters, class title, and project number.

o Cosmetics: check spelling, redundant info, character size (students in the back of the room should be able to easily read), narrations (up to three bullet points can be added to enhance your presentation), color, creativity, animations, etc.). This is your project so doll it up as though you are presenting to your classmates or better yet, a panel of supervisors at work.

· For each question you may choose the appropriate graph to use; however, make sure to include a vertical bar chart, horizontal bar chart, pie chart, histogram, frequency table, and lined scatterplot at least once in the overall project. Do not copy any existing graph from the sites used, even if cited. The goal is for you to demonstrate that you can generate your own illustrations in Excel and PowerPoint.

· Letters, not numbers, are graded with equal weight.

· It is preferred that you ask questions about the project in class, rather than via e-mail, so that all students can benefit from the answers.

· Questions are intentionally open ended and presented through the lens of a lay-person’s inquiry. This provides you creative license to answer as you see optimal.  Feel free to interpret subjectively but make sure you substantiate whatever you present with data from the sites provided.

1. Crime Research

a. What weapons are used most often in the commission of a crime?

b. What are the most common types of crime committed in the U.S.

2. National Economy Research

a. Are American workers more productive than in the past? How has this affected real wages?

b. How has the U.S. trade deficit/surplus changed over time?

3. Wealth, Income, and Poverty Research

a. How is household income distributed in the U.S.? What is the cutoff for each quintile?

b. How is household wealth distributed in the U.S.?

4. (REGRESSION RESULTS INSTEAD OF GRAPH) Using a multiple regression template and data from the CIA fact book for all OECD countries, determine the effects and significance of the following independent variables on the dependent variable, GDP-Real Growth Rate. Submit one Excel spreadsheet with ANOVA and an explanation of all regression metrics learned in class.

· Gross National Savings

· Household Consumption %

· Government Consumption %

· Investment in Fixed Capital %

· Investment in Inventories %

· Exports of Goods and Services %

· Imports of Goods and Services %

· Agriculture %

· Industry %

· Services %

· Industrial Production Growth Rate %

· Distribution of Family Income (Gini Index)

· Taxes as % of GDP

· Budget Surplus/Deficit %

· Public Debt %

· Inflation Rate %

· Central Bank Discount Rate %