Statistics Coursework
Newspaper Comparisons
Introduction
For this statistical coursework I will compare the length of words in tabloid and broadsheet newspapers. My sources are 'The Sun' (a tabloid) and 'The Times' (a broadsheet).
Predictions / Hypotheses
* Broadsheets, on average, use long words, while tabloid newspapers generally contain shorter words than broadsheets.
* Tabloids have a wider variation in the number of letters per word than broadsheets
* The most common (modal) number of letters per word for a broadsheet is between 5 and 8, while the most common number of letters per word in a tabloid is between 4 and 7.
Testing Method
My results should be fair and accurate. I intend to use a systematic sampling system to ensure this. I will record the number of letters per word from 50 words from each paper. I have chosen this number because it is a sensible round number of a size that should supply me with reliable, accurate results. I will use every third word (I chose this number by rolling a dice). I will use the same article in both newspapers to make sure that I do not use any news stories that could contain abnormally long or short words.
Results
Newspaper Comparisons
Introduction
For this statistical coursework I will compare the length of words in tabloid and broadsheet newspapers. My sources are 'The Sun' (a tabloid) and 'The Times' (a broadsheet).
Predictions / Hypotheses
* Broadsheets, on average, use long words, while tabloid newspapers generally contain shorter words than broadsheets.
* Tabloids have a wider variation in the number of letters per word than broadsheets
* The most common (modal) number of letters per word for a broadsheet is between 5 and 8, while the most common number of letters per word in a tabloid is between 4 and 7.
Testing Method
My results should be fair and accurate. I intend to use a systematic sampling system to ensure this. I will record the number of letters per word from 50 words from each paper. I have chosen this number because it is a sensible round number of a size that should supply me with reliable, accurate results. I will use every third word (I chose this number by rolling a dice). I will use the same article in both newspapers to make sure that I do not use any news stories that could contain abnormally long or short words.
Results
