Education Technology

Statistics: Does a Correlation Exist?

by Texas Instruments

Overview

Students determine, by examining a graph, if a data set has a positive or negative correlation coefficient.

Key Steps

  • Image

    Students explore correlation coefficients and linear regression lines. Each problem contains a different data set and each problem has students investigate something different. They will create a scatter plot and use the calculator to find the equation of the regression.

  • Image

    Students use the regression line to find and predict an x-value when given a y-value and vice versa. They will also determine the difference between correlation and causation.

  • Image

    Lastly, students will explore the effect of extreme data point on the regression line. After changing a data point, they will update the linear regression line and equation to see the effect. They will also delete data points.