📈 Pearson Correlation Project - Version 1

For this version of the project you will be analyzing a societally significant data set. For your
project, you will:
1. Choose a data set.
2. Provide an investigation question, definition of variables, and prediction
3. Complete a Pearson Correlation test (completed on template below)
4. Create a scatter plot of your own
5. Complete an Interpretation (completed on template below)

Due Dates:
- 📈 Pearson Correlation Project Preview - due Friday April 30th
- Data Set and Background Information - due Wednesday May 5th
- Pearson Correlation test and Scatter Plot - due Friday May 7th
- Interpretation - due Tuesday May 11th
 Data Set

Directions: Choose from one of the following options for your data set:
1. Voter Turnout Data
a. You will be determining if there is a correlation between political stance and
voter turnout for each state.
2. Find data of your own
a. Find your own source of numerical data to use on this project. Your data must
be approved by teachers by Wednesday May 5th. You can use these sites as
a starting point:
i. DataQuest.io
ii. CDC
iii. Data.gov
iv. FiveThirtyEight
v. National Center for Education Statistics
vi. World Bank
vii. Google (Public Data)
3. Gather data of your own
a. Conduct your own survey gathering two sets of numerical data from at least
20 participants. Your plan must be approved by teachers by Wednesday May
5th.
 Background

Directions: Provide any background that would be necessary to understand your data
analysis. You must provide an investigation question, definition of variables, and prediction.

If you are working with the voter turnout data, you must read one of these three
articles/websites:
- Calculating political lean of new legislative districts
- Ballotpedia
- Introducing the 2021 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index

Note: For our data we have converted PVI into positive and negative numbers.
R+25 is represented by -25 while D+17 is represented by 17.

Then, within the Research section, answer the following questions:

- What does the Cook Partisan Voting Index measure?
- How does a measurement of D+30 compare to a measurement of R+5?
- What does it mean to have a PVI of 0 or “EVEN”?

If you are working with your own data you must find an article explaining your situation or
variables. Then, within the Research section, summarize your research in 4-5 sentences.
Please be sure to link/cite your source.

If you are gathering data of your own please link your survey or describe your data
collection method in the Research section.

Investigation Question
What are you trying to find out?

Sentence Starter:
Is there a statistically significant correlation
between…

Variables:
Define both of your variables.

Sentence Starter:
 The dependent variable I am measuring is…
The independent variable I am measuring is…

Prediction:
What do you think your results will
show?

Sentence Starter:
I predict that my results will show…

Research
Please answer the questions listed in
the instructions above. If you found
your own source, be sure to include it!
 Statistical Analysis

Directions: Complete a Pearson Correlation test using the data you have chosen. Here are
some things to remember:
- You must use your spreadsheet to calculate your correlation coefficient and count.
- Use this website to find your p-value.
- We will be completing the Interpretation in a later step; no need to complete it right
now.

Investigation
Question:
(Copy and paste
from here)

Correlation Coefficient: Count:

r= n=

Null Hypothesis: p-value:

H0: p=

Results: Reject the Null Hypothesis or Fail to Reject the Null Hypothesis
 Data Visualization

Directions: Using Google Sheets, create a Scatterplot Graph with trendline, R2 & equation.
Follow these steps carefully:
1. Decide what two quantitative variables you will be looking at.
2. Highlight two columns of data.
3. Click ‘Insert’ then ‘Chart’
4. Under ‘Setup,’ use the Chart Type selector to find ‘Scatter Plot’
5. Click ‘Chart & axis titles’
6. Edit the chart title, horizontal axis title, and vertical axis title.
7. Make sure you can see all data! Change x/y axis.
a. Customize → Vertical/Horizontal Axis → Change maximum
8. Add a trendline.
a. Customize → Series → Trendline → Show R2
9. Add an equation.
a. Customize → Series → Label → Use Equation
10. All finished!

Scatter Plot:
Please copy and paste your scatter plot below!
 Interpretation

Directions: Write an interpretation of your results in at least 4-5 sentences. Use the sentence
starters on the last page of these notes to help with the interpretation.

Investigation Question:
(Copy and paste from here)

Prediction
(Copy and paste from here)

Results: Reject the Null Hypothesis or Fail to Reject the Null Hypothesis

Interpretation: