The National Student Research Center

E-Journal of Student Research: Consumerism

Volume 6, Number 1, October, 1997


The National Student Research Center is dedicated to promoting student research and the use of the scientific method in all subject areas across the curriculum, especially science and math.

For more information contact:

John I. Swang, Ph.D.
Founder/Director
National Student Research Center
2024 Livingston Street
Mandeville, Louisiana 70448
U.S.A.
E-Mail: nsrcmms@communique.net
http://youth.net/nsrc/nsrc.html


TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Which Airline Has The Lowest Rate On A Round Trip Ticket From New Orleans To Los Angeles?
  2. Which Store Has Computer Games For The Lowest Average Price?
  3. Which Button-up, Pull-over Shirt Is Cheaper?
  4. Which Youth Organization Has The Lowest Average Price For Playing Sports?
  5. Which Grocery Store Has The Lowest Prices On Junk Food?
  6. What Are The Prices Of Pets In The Area?
  7. Which Radio Stations Offer The Lowest Price For Air Space?
  8. Different Prices Of Computers


TITLE:  Which Airline Has The Lowest Rate On A Round Trip Ticket 
        From New Orleans To Los Angeles? 
   
STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Whitney Stoppel and Alex Manuel  
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: 

We would like to do a consumerism research project on which 
airline company  has the lowest rates on next-day, second-class 
round trip tickets to Los Angeles.  Our hypothesis states that 
American Airlines will have the lowest price for a round trip 
ticket from New Orleans to Los Angeles. 

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we decided on our topic.  Next, we wrote our statement of 
purpose.  Then we conducted a review of literature about 
airplanes, airports, airlines, consumerism, and the Wright 
Brothers.  Then we developed a hypothesis.  

Next, we wrote a  methodology to test our hypothesis.  First, we 
gathered our materials and then conducted our survey.  We looked 
up the 1-800 telephone numbers for the following airlines in the 
phone book: Northwest, Southwest, Delta, Continental, TWA, and 
American Airlines.  We asked for the lowest price for a next-day, 
round-trip ticket from New Orleans to Los Angeles.  We recorded 
our results in a systematic way on a data collection sheet.

Next, we analyzed our data with charts and graphs.  Then we wrote 
our summary and conclusion, accepted or rejected our hypothesis, 
and applied our findings to the world outside the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Out of the six airlines we called, we found out that Southwest had 
the lowest fare.  For a round trip ticket from New Orleans to Los 
Angeles it would cost $633.00.  American Airlines was second with 
a fare of $646.00.  Northwest and Continental tied for third, with 
$653.00 each.  TWA came in forth with a fare of $659.00.  Delta 
Airlines had the highest price which was $670.00.

               Price
For A Round Trip Ticket From New Orleans 
           To Los Angeles   
A    
I    American Airlines      $646.00  
R    Delta                  $670.00  
L    Northwest              $653.00  
I    Southwest              $633.00  
N    TWA                    $659.00  
E
S

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: 

We found that Southwest has the lowest fare on a round-trip ticket 
from New Orleans to Los Angeles for a next day flight.  Next, came 
American Airlines, Northwest and Continental.  TWA came next and 
Delta Airlines had the highest price.  Therefore, we reject our 
hypothesis which stated that American Airlines will have the 
lowest fare on a round trip ticket from New Orleans to Los 
Angeles. 

V.  APPLICATION: 

This information can be used in the outside world by anyone who 
wants to take the cheapest next-day, round-trip flight from New 
Orleans to Los Angeles.



TITLE:  Which Store Has Computer Games For The Lowest Average 
        Price?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  Joshua Foster and Adam Osborn
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: 

We would like to do a scientific research project on computer game 
prices at different stores.  Our hypothesis states that Office 
Depot will sell computer games at the lowest average prices.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we chose our topic.  Then we wrote our statement of purpose 
and we did a review of literature about consumerism, computer 
games, computers, and multimedia history.  Next, we developed our 
hypothesis.

Then we wrote a methodology to test our hypothesis.  Next, we 
gathered our materials needed to conduct the survey.  Then we 
visited six stores that sell computer games (Office Depot, 
CompUSA, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Sears, and K-Mart).  Next, we 
recorded the prices of three popular computer games (Warcraft 2, 
Duke Nukem 3D, and SimCity 2000) that all six stores carried.  
Next, we recorded our data on a data collection sheet.  

Then we analyzed our data using charts and graphs.  Next, we wrote 
our summary and conclusion where we accepted/rejected our 
hypothesis.  Last, we applied our findings to the world outside 
the classroom.                    

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We had to discard four of the six stores we surveyed because they 
did not carry all of the games that we were surveying for.  We 
also had to discard our three original games because none of the 
stores except Office Depot carried them.  We replaced them with 
Where In The USA Is Carmen Sandiego?, Oregon Trail II, and MYST.

Our data show that Office Depot sells MYST for $19.99, Where In 
The USA Is Carmen Sandiego? for $29.99, and Oregon Trail II for 
$49.99.  The average of the game prices is $33.32.

Our data show that CompUSA sells MYST for $24.99, Where In The USA 
Is Carmen Sandiego? for $29.99, and Oregon Trail II for $49.99.  
The average of the game prices is $34.99.

                             Game Prices 
                  
Store          Carmen USA   Myst     Oregon Trail II   Average 

Office Depot   $29.99       $19.99      $49.99         $33.32  
CompUSA        $29.99       $24.99      $49.99         $34.99  


IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Our data show that Office Depot has the lowest average price for 
computer games.  Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which states 
that Office Depot will sell computer games at the lowest average 
prices.  CompUSA sold games at almost the same average price as 
Office Depot, but MYST was five dollars more at CompUSA than at 
Office Depot.

V.  APPLICATION:

We could apply our findings to the world outside the classroom by 
telling people where they can get the cheapest computer games.



TITLE:  Which Button-up, Pull-over Shirt Is Cheaper?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  Chris Chugden and John Casey
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a consumerism research project on the prices 
of button-up, pull-over shirts.  Our hypothesis states that 
Dillard's will sell button-up, pull-over shirts at the cheapest 
average price.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we chose a topic.  Then we wrote our statement of purpose.  
Next, we wrote our review of literature about consumerism, 
consumer rights, prices, fabric, and clothing industry.  Then we 
wrote a hypothesis.

Next, we wrote a methodology to test our hypothesis.  Then we 
gathered our materials.  We surveyed the following stores: Macy's, 
Dillard's, Stage, Mervyn's, and Masion Blanche.  We also selected 
the brands we would use in our survey: Nike, Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, 
Bugle Boy, and Adidas.  Then we called the stores and asked the 
prices of the shirts.  We recorded the prices of each brand in our 
notebook. 

After we gathered our data, we marked down the results on a data 
collection form.  We used the form to conduct our analysis of data 
(charts, graphs).  Then we wrote a summary and conclusion and 
accepted/rejected our hypothesis.  After concluding the project, 
we applied our findings to the world outside the classroom.   

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We could not find the prices of Nike, Bugle Boy, and Adidas 
because not many stores carried them.   We had to delete them from 
our survey.  We did the same thing to two stores called Stage and 
Mervyn's.   They did not carry the  brands in our survey.    

At Dillard's, the price of a Tommy Hilfiger button-up, pull-over 
shirt was $44.00.  A Polo button-up, pull-over shirt cost $52.50.  
On average, Dillard's sold button-up, pull-over shirts for $48.25.  
It sold the cheapest button-up, pull-over shirts.   

Macy's sold Tommy Hilfiger button-up, pull-over shirts at a price 
$59.00.   A Polo button-up, pull-over shirt cost $59.50.   Macy's 
sold button-up, pull-over shirts at an average price of $59.25.   

Maison Blanche sold Tommy Hilfiger button-up, pull-over shirts at 
a price of $55.00.   Polo button-up, pull-over shirts cost $89.00.  
Maison Blanche sold button-up, pull-over shirts at an average 
price of $72.00. 

        The Prices Of The Button-up, Pull-over Shirts              

                                   Stores

Brand Names   Dillard's   Stage     Macy's   Mervyn's    Mason 
                                                       Blanche 
 
Polo          $52.50      $39.50    $59.50      ?       $89.00          

Tommy                                                                          
Hilfiger      $44.00        ?       $59.00      ?       $55.00     

Bugle                                                          
Boy              ?          ?         ?       $25.00       ?         
   
Nike             ?        $40.00      ?         ?          ?         

Average       $48.25      $39.75    $59.25    $25.00     $72.00     


IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

On average, Dillard's sold button-up, pull-over shirts for $48.25.  
Dillard's sold the button-up, pull-over shirts for the cheapest 
price.  The most expensive store was Maison Blanche selling 
button-up, pull-over shirts at an average price of $72.00.   
Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which stated that Dillard's 
would sell button-up, pull-over shirts at the cheapest average 
price.      

V.  APPLICATION:

Now we know that Dillard's sells the cheapest button-up, pull-over 
shirts.  We will go to Dillard's if we ever want a button-up, 
pull-over shirt.  We told our friends and family where to get the 
cheapest button-up, pull-over shirts.



TITLE:  Which Youth Organization Has The Lowest Average Price For 
        Playing  Sports?   

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  George Davis McPherson, Jr 
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I would like to do a consumerism research project on the fees 
different youth sports organizations charge for sports such as 
basketball, baseball, soccer, and football.  My hypothesis states 
that Mandeville Youth Sports will have the lowest average cost to 
play sports. 

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, I choose my topic.  Then I wrote a statement of purpose.  
Then I conducted a review of literature about the fees different 
sports organizations charge for sports like basketball, football, 
soccer, and baseball.  Next, I came up with a hypothesis.  

Then I developed a methodology to test my hypothesis.  Then I 
gathered the materials needed to conduct my survey.  Then I called 
the Mandeville Youth Sports and Covington Youth Sports 
organizations and got the fees to play the following sports: 
Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, and Football.  Next, I recorded the 
fees on a data collection sheet.

I then analyzed my data.  Next, I accepted/rejected my hypothesis, 
wrote a brief summary and conclusion, and applied my findings to 
the world outside of the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

In my research, I found that Mandeville Youth Sports charged $90 
to play soccer, $55 to play basketball, $55 to play baseball, and 
$85 to play football.  The average cost to play sports in 
Mandeville is $71.25.  

I also found, in my research, that in Covington Youth Sports 
charged $85 to play soccer, $55 to play basketball, $50 to play 
baseball, and $90 to play football.  The average cost to play 
sports in Covington is $70.

  The Fees For A Twelve Year Old Male To Play Sports 
        In The Mandeville And Covington Area.
                                                         
                  Mandeville Youth         Covington Youth   
Sports           Sports Organization     Sports Organization 

Soccer              $45.00                      $85.00         
Basketball          $55.00                      $60.00         
Baseball            $55.00                      $45.00         
Football            $85.00                      $90.00         

Average             $71.25                      $70.00         


IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, I found that the average cost to play sports in 
Mandeville was $71.25 and the average cost to play sports in 
Covington $70.  Therefore I reject my hypothesis which stated 
Mandeville Youth Sports would have the lowest average price to 
play sports.  Both youth sports organizations charge about the 
same to play.

V.  APPLICATION:

If you live in one city and you want to play sports in another 
city you have to pay extra.  Therefore, you should play a sport in 
the city you live in since it would be cheaper.



TITLE:   Which Grocery Store Has The Lowest Prices On Junk Food?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  James Rees and Brant Linde
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a consumerism research project on which 
grocery store has the lowest prices on junk food.  Our hypothesis 
states that Super Wal- Mart will have the lowest prices on junk 
food.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we came up with a topic.  Then we wrote our statement of 
purpose.  Next, we wrote our review of literature about 
consumerism, junk food, and supermarkets.  After that we developed 
a hypothesis.

Then we came up with a methodology to test our hypothesis.  Next, 
we conducted our research.  We drove to four supermarkets (Super 
Wal-Mart, Delchamps, A&P, and Winn Dixie) where we gathered the 
prices of the products we surveyed: Stringthing, Acme Popcorn, 
Grape Gushers, King-Size Snicker Bar, Ruffels Potato Chips, Oreo 
Cookies, Starburst Candies, Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies, 
Farleys Fruit Roll-up, Nestle Crunch Bar, and Airheads.

Then we recorded the prices on a data collection sheet.  After 
that we analyzed our data.  Then we wrote our summary and 
conclusion, accepted or rejected our hypothesis, and applied our 
findings to the world outside the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

A&P's price for Stringthing was $2.55.  For Gushers, the price was 
$2.55.  For popcorn, the price was $1.99.  For King-Size Snicker 
Bar, the price was .99.  For Potato Chips, the price was $3.79.  
For Starburst Candies, the price was .49.  For Chips Ahoy Cookies, 
the price was $2.50.  For Fruit Roll-Up, the price was $2.55.  For 
Nestle Crunch, the price was .49.  For Airheads, the price was 
.65.  A&P's average price for the above junk food was $2.00.

Super Wal-Mart's price for Stringthing was $1.98.  The price for 
Gushers was $1.98.  For the popcorn, the price was $1.88.  For 
King-Size Snicker Bar, the price was .75.  For the Potato Chips, 
the price was $2.88.  The price for Starburst Candies was $2.50.  
The price for Chips Ahoy Cookies was $2.77.  The price for the 
Fruit Roll-Up was $1.98.  For the Nestle Crunch Bar, the price was 
.44.  The price for Airheads was $1.98.  Super Wal-Mart's average 
price was $1.91.   

Delchamps' price for Stringthing was $2.07.  For Gushers, the 
price was $2.58.  For popcorn, the price was $1.98.  For King-Size 
Snicker Bar, the price was .79.  For Potato Chips, the price was 
$1.98.  For Starburst Candies, the price was $2.99.  For Chips 
Ahoy Cookies, the price was $2.31.  For the Fruit Roll-Ups, the 
price was $2.53.  For Nestle Crunch Bar, the price was .49.  For 
Airheads, the price was .89.  Delchamp's average price was $1.87.

Winn Dixie's price for Stringthing was $2.25.  For Gushers, the 
price was $2.55.  For popcorn, the price was $1.98.  For King-Size 
Snicker Bar, the price was $1.68.  For Potato Chips, the price was 
$1.26.  For Starburst Candies, the price was $1.08.  For Chips 
Ahoy Cookies, the price was $2.84.  For Fruit Roll-Ups, the price 
was $2.00.  For Nestle Crunch Bar, the price was $1.08.  For 
Airheads, the price was .88.  Winn Dixie's average price was 
$1.85.

                    Prices On Junk Food

                  Winn
Products          Dixie       A&P       Delchamps     Super Wal- 
                                                      Mart      

Stringthing       $2.25      $2.55      $2.07         $1.98     
Gushers            2.55       2.55       2.58          1.98     
Popcorn            1.98       1.99       1.98          1.88     
King-Size  
Snicker Bar       (1.68)       .99        .79           .79     
Potato Chips       1.26       3.79       1.98          2.88     
Starburst   
Candies            1.08       (.49)      2.99          2.77     
Chips Ahoy         2.84       2.50       2.31          2.50     
Cookies                                                   
Fruit              2.00       2.55       2.53          1.98     
Roll-Up                                                   
Nestle Crunch     (1.08)       .49        .49           .44     
Bar                                                        
Airheads            .88        .65        .89        *(1.98)    

Average           $1.85      $2.00       $1.87        $1.91     
  
*Items in ( ) were not used to calculate averages because of the 
large differences with other stores.


IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

In our survey, we found out that Winn Dixie has the cheapest 
prices on junk food items out of Super Wal-Mart, Delchamps, and 
A&P with an average of $1.85. Therefore, we reject our hypothesis 
which stated that Super Wal-Mart would have the lowest prices on 
junk food.  There was very little difference in the average prices 
for all the stores. 

V.  APPLICATION:

We can use this information by telling people where to shop if 
they are looking for the cheapest junk food items.



TITLE:  What Are The Prices Of Pets In The Area?
   
STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Jane Bordelon and Christine O'Rourke  
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a consumerism research project on finding the 
lowest prices for pets (dogs, cats, gerbils, parrots, rabbits, and 
fish).  Our hypothesis states that Mr. Fish will have the lowest 
average price for pets.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we chose our topic.  Next, we wrote our statement of 
purpose.  Then we conducted a review of literature about 
consumerism, domestication, and pets.  Next, we wrote our 
hypothesis.

We then developed a methodology to test our hypothesis.  First, we 
gathered our materials.  We then wrote a step by step description 
of what we did to conduct our research: 1) We identified the pets 
for our survey - dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, fish, and parrots.  
2) We found all the pet stores in the area.  3) We chose two pet 
stores to survey (one per student researcher).  4) We called or 
went to the pet stores to gather the prices on the pets.  5) We 
recorded the prices for pets on a data collection sheet.

Then we analyzed our data using statistics, charts, and graphs.  
Next, we wrote our summary and conclusion.  Then we accepted or 
rejected our hypothesis.  Finally, we applied our findings to the 
world outside the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

When we went to record our data, we found that Mr. Fish only sold 
purebred cats and dogs and Wild Cargo Pets only sold mixed breeds 
of cats and dogs.  Therefore, we could not compare this data.

At Mr. Fish, the rabbits cost between $19.99 - $21.99 and at Wild 
Cargo Pets, they cost $20.00.

At Mr. Fish, the gerbils cost $6.99 and at Wild Cargo Pets, they 
cost $5.00.

At Mr. Fish, the parrots cost between $189.00 - $900.00 and at 
Wild Cargo Pets, they cost between $200.00 - $2,000.00.  The more 
expensive kind of parrot's prices differ greatly, although the 
less expensive kind's prices were almost the same.

At Mr. Fish, the fish cost between $0.30 - $150.00 and at Wild 
Cargo Pets, they cost between $0.10 - $500.00.  Again, the upper 
range of prices are very different and the lower range of prices 
are almost the same.

The average price of the less expensive pets at Mr. Fish was 
$54.07 while the average price of the less expensive pets at Wild 
Cargo Pets was $56.28.  

The average price of the more expensive pets at Mr. Fish was 
$269.75 while the average price of the more expensive pets at Wild 
Cargo Pets was $631.25.

Overall, the average price of pets were $161.91 at Mr. Fish and 
$343.77 at Wild Cargo Pets.            

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

From our gathered information, Mr. Fish has the lowest overall 
average price for pets.  Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which 
states that Mr. Fish will have the lowest average price on pets.

If you want to buy a more expensive kind of pet, go to Wild Cargo 
Pets.  If you want to buy the cheaper kind, you can go to either 
Mr. Fish or Wild Cargo Pets.

V.  APPLICATION:

We can tell our families and friends that if they want a purebred 
cat or dog, they should go to Mr. Fish and if they want a mixed 
breed, they should go to Wild Cargo Pets.  If they want a more 
expensive parrot or fish, they should go to Wild Cargo pets.  The 
prices for the gerbils and rabbits were pretty much the same, so 
they could go to either for those.



TITLE:  Which Radio Stations Offer The Lowest Price For Air Space?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  Lalita Mondkar and Amber French
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: 

We would like to do a consumerism research project on which radio 
station offers the lowest prices for air space.  Our hypothesis 
states that the LAKE Radio (104.7 FM) will have the lowest price 
for one minute of air space.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we chose our topic.  Then we wrote our statement of 
purpose.  Next, we conducted our review of literature about our 
subtopics.  Our subtopics were consumerism, the history of radios, 
the history of advertisement, and the broadcasting industry.  
After that we developed our hypothesis.

We then developed a methodology to test our hypothesis.  Next, we 
conducted our survey.  First, we decided on which radio stations 
we were going to call.  Those radio stations were 97.1 FM, 102.5 
FM, 92.3 FM, 104.7 FM, 104.1 FM, and 106.7 FM.  Second, we 
developed the question we would ask: What are your radio station's 
prices for one minute of air space? Next, we called the radio 
stations and recorded the information in a systematic way on our 
data collection sheet.  Then we analyzed our data to create our 
charts and graphs. We then wrote our summary and conclusion and 
accepted/rejected our hypothesis.  Finally, we applied our 
findings to the world outside the classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We found that 104.7 FM had the lowest price for one minute of air 
space at 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM being $23.00 per minute.  106.7 FM 
and 104.1 FM had the second lowest price per minute of air space 
for both times.  Those prices were $85.00 at 7:30 AM and $75.00 at 
5:30 PM.  The prices for one minute of air space at 7:30 AM and 
5:30 PM for 97.1 FM was $80.00.  On 92.3 FM, one minute of air 
space at 7:30 AM costs $175.00.  At 5:30 PM, they charge $110.00 
per minute.  The most expensive price was on 105.1 FM being 
$200.00 per minute for both times.

          Prices For One Minute Of Air Space 
                        At 
          Two Different Times In The Day For


Radio Stations     7:30 AM       5:30 PM       Average                                       

R    92.3 FM       $175.00       $110.00       $142.10   
A   104.7 FM       $ 23.00       $ 23.00       $ 23.00    
D   106.7 FM       $ 85.00       $ 75.00       $ 78.20   
I   105.1 FM       $200.00       $200.00       $200.00   
O    97.1 FM       $ 80.00       $ 80.00       $ 80.00   
    104.1 FM       $ 85.00       $ 75.00       $ 78.20   


IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

On average, we found that 104.7 FM had the lowest price for one 
minute of air space at both 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM.  Therefore, we 
accept our hypothesis which states that the LAKE 104.7 FM would 
have the lowest price for one minute of air space.  Station 104.7 
FM has the lowest price for air time because few people listen to 
the station since it is a new station.  Station 92.3 FM which is 
the most expensive has one of the biggest listening audiences in 
the metropolitan area.   

V.  APPLICATION:

We can apply our findings to the world outside the classroom by 
informing companies that want to advertise on the radio.  Our 
findings will help choose the radio station they can afford. 



TITLE:  Different Prices Of Computers   

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Matt Kubicek and Rick Dupont 
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: 

We want to do this project because we like computers and we want 
to see which gives you the better deal.  Our hypothesis states 
that Packard Bell will be the cheapest computer.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we selected a topic.  Then we wrote a statement of purpose.  
Next, we wrote our review of literature on computers, computer 
history, and consumerism.  Then we developed a hypothesis.

Then we wrote a methodology to test our hypothesis.  We called 
several stores and recorded the prices of several computers at 
each store on a data collection sheet.  The stores we surveyed 
were:  1) Office Depot, 2) CompUSA, 3)  Circuit City, 4)  Wal-
Mart, 5) K-Mart, and 6) Campo.  The computer brands we looked at 
were: 1) Packard Bell, 2) Gateway 2K, 3) IBM, 4) Macintosh, 5) 
NEC, and 6) Compaq.  

Then we analyzed our data using simple statistics, charts, and 
graphs.  Next, we wrote our summary and conclusion.  Then we 
rejected or accepted our hypothesis.  Finally, we applied our 
findings to life.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

First, we had to eliminate Wal-Mart and Office Depot because they 
didn't carry many of the computers in our survey.  We also had to 
replace Gateway 2000 with Hewlett Packard because the stores 
didn't carry it.

The Packard Bell computer at CompUSA was $999.99.  At Circuit 
City, it was $999.99 and Campo didn't have it.  The average price 
of the computer was $999.99.

The Hewlett Packard computer was $999.97 at CompUSA, $999.99 at 
Circuit City, and the average price was $999.98.

The NEC computer at CompUSA was $1299.97.  The price of it at 
Circuit City was $1199.99.  The price at Compo was $1699.99.  The 
average price was $1399.98.

The price of a Macintosh was $1799.97 at CompUSA.  The price at 
Circuit City was $1599.95 and the average price was $1699.96.

The price of an IBM Aptiva at CompUSA was $1999.99.  The price at 
Circuit City was $1899.99.  The price a Campo was $1399.99.  The 
average price was $1766.66.

The price of Compaq at CompUSA was $799.97.  The price at Circuit 
City was $999.95.  The price at Campo was $799.95.  The average 
price $866.64.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Our data show that IBM had the highest average price and Compaq 
had the lowest average price.  Therefore we reject our hypothesis 
which stated that Packard Bell computers would be the cheapest 
system.

V.  APPLICATION:

Someone could use this information for finding the lowest price on 
computers and know where to go to find it.

© 1997 John I. Swang, Ph.D.