Case III - Linear relationship

Description of activity and Excel instructions:Case III - Linear relationship

Dataset: baby-crying-IQ.xls

Exploratory data analysis

Create a scatterplot

Use the Chart Wizard to create a scatterplot.

• Select the columns containing the two variables to be plotted.
• Select Insert > Chart....

The Chart Wizard displays.

In 1. Chart Type:

• Select XY (Scatter).
• Select the Points Only version.

In 2. Data Range:

• Click 'Data series in columns.
• Check First row as label.

No changes are needed for 3. Data Series.

In 4. Chart Elements:

• Enter a title for the chart.
• Enter a title for the X axis (explanatory variable).
• Enter a title for the Y axis (response variable).
• Decide if you want to display a grid in the chart background.
• Uncheck the Display Legend box.

Calc creates a scatterplot. Note that the X axis scale is shown as 5 to 35, a reasonable choice for this data.

If you want to change the shape or size of the data points:

• Double click on the graph to enter edit mode.
• Right click on the data points.
• Select Object Properties...
• Explore the options in the Icon section, in the Line tab.

Create a correlation coefficient

Use a formula to compute the correlation:

• Click in a cell outside of the first two columns of data.
• Type "=CORREL([range1],[range2])" where [range1] is the first column of data and [range2] is the second column of data.

Return to the OLI's Case III - Linear relationship page to complete the first interpretive exercise.

Calculate p-value

Calc does not include a formula or data analysis routine to calculate the "t-test for the slope" of a regression line. You can use Excel for this activity, or the web-based p-value calculator for the correlation coefficients at danielsoper.com.

In fact, this t-test is solely dependent on the value of the correlation coefficient, r, and the size of the sample:

[math]t = \frac{r}{\sqrt{\frac{1-r^2}{n-2}}}[/math]

Return to the OLI's Case III - Linear relationship page to complete the next interpretive exercise.

Plot the least squares regression line

• In edit mode on the graph, right-click one of the points on the graph.
• Select Insert Trend Line....

The Trend Line dialog displays.

• Click on the Type tab.
• Verify that Linear is selected under Regression Type.
• Check the Show equation box.
• Check the Show correlation coefficient (R²).
• Click OK.

The regression line displays among the data points and the regression equation and R² display underneath. You can select and re-position the equation and R² value, if they are displayed on top of the data points.

Return to the OLI's Case III - Linear relationship page to complete the interpretive exercises.