Problem
I. First, propose a hypothesis. Just to review a couple of examples, these are hypotheses:
The mean number of years Americans work before retiring is 34.
At most 60% of Americans vote in presidential elections.
The mean starting salary for San Jose State University graduates is at least $100,000 per year.
II. Collect a small sample of data that can help you test the null and alternative hypotheses
Let's say you want to test whether college students touch their faces after touching public surfaces. You could observe three or four friends. Or if you want to test whether professors are more likely to be stressed. You could interview three or four people. Describe your sample (e.g., I interviewed four college-aged men, 18-21, from different ethnicities about XYZ. This is an appropriate sample because...).
The sample does not need to be large, but try to have material to write about in the next step.
III. Report your findings
You can use your textbook and the articles we read in class as a reference. Tell us what your findings were. Did they lend support to your hypothesis? If you used a survey, present the statistics that helped you reach your decision. If it's interviewing, then what did the participant say to help support your argument?
IV. Discuss why this is important and the next steps
Why is this important? What did you learn by doing this activity? What could be done better next time? What other factors should you have taken into account?