DSC 410/510 - Multivariate Statistical Methods

Project 1

Task

Either individually or in a group of up to four, design a conjoint analysis experiment with at least four factors and two levels for each factor. In doing so, define the compositional rule you will use, the experimental design for creating stimuli, and the analysis method. Obtain data from at least five respondents and analyze their responses. Write up your study as a report recommending a certain course of action.

You should use SAS to carry out your analysis, and perhaps also Excel regression using effects coding to cross-check results. Graduate students: remember that this is the first of two projects that count towards your overall grade. You can look at previous year's projects to get ideas for a topic and also to see the sort of write-up expected.

Due date

Friday November 5 at 4:00pm.

Grading

Each project will be letter-graded taking into account the following criteria:

• Technique: Have you used appropriate statistical techniques and checked assumptions underlying inferences?
• Clarity: Have you explained clearly and concisely what you have done and why, and what your conclusions are?
• Focus: Have you met the goals of the project fully and without superfluous analyses or discussion?
• Overall presentation: Is the report presented neatly and in a professional manner?

Projects done in groups will be held to a higher standard than those done individually.

A suggested layout for the report (which must be typed using a computer, not handwritten) is as follows:

• Introduction: Briefly state the goals of your analysis and the data used.
• Analysis: Describe the statistical techniques applied and the assumptions underlying any inferences.
• Results: Summarize the results of the analysis, including any relevant plots.
• Conclusions: Describe how the results accomplish the goals of the analysis.

Length: Your report must be no more than 8 pages (using a font size no smaller than 10-point). Anything beyond 8 pages will be ignored in grading. You may include a cover-page and an appendix that are not included in the page limit, but make sure that all the important material goes in the main body of the report.