BSFS is
affiliated with

TEMS

  __________________
  Webmaster:
Celeste Prussia
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II. What are the possible relationships between the variables measured at the weather station?    A. Working in pairs, write at least five questions about the relationships between the variables.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Data analysis examples:

 FOCUS QUESTION: Can solar radiation data be used to predict when
             precipitation occurred?

 ·          Examine a graph of Total Solar Radiation and predict when precipitation may have
             occurred. My prediction :__________________________________________

 ·          Use the graph of Precipitation as an overlay on top of the Total Solar Radiation
             graph. Evaluate the accuracy of your prediction.

My prediction was accurate when_________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________

            My prediction was not accurate when_______________________________

 _________________________________________________________________

 ·          Use the graphing function of Microsoft Excel to create a scatterplot of the
             variables. Draw a line-of-best fit on the graph to identify the trend.

            Are the variables directly related to one another (e.g., as one variable
            increases, the other variable also increases)?  _________________

Are the variables inversely related to one another (e.g., as one variable
            increases, the other variable decreases)? ______________________

           Is their no clear relationship between the two variables (this could indicate
           that there are other variables that complicate the picture)?______________

 ·          Option for advanced level high school students: Use the data analysis tools of Microsoft Excel or another statistical program to calculate the regression of one variable on the other variable. The regression number will give an indication of the strength of the relationship between the two variables. The closer the value is to “1”, the stronger the relationship between the variables. You can do a regression analysis after you make a graph comparing the two variables.  Once you have made the graph, choose “chart” on the toolbar, then go to “add a trendline”.  Choose to add a “linear” line, then go to the “options” tab and click on the box that says “display r-value on chart”.  This is the number you compare to “1”. 

***ANSWER THE FOCUS QUESTION BASED ON YOUR DATA ANALYSIS:

Can solar radiation data be used to predict when precipitation occurred?  
            _________

            Explain your answer. (How does the data support your answer?)

Back to Lesson Plan

Using Biological Field Station Weather Data for Teaching about Data Analysis and Interpretation

Developed by Dr. Gigi Saunders, Biology Department, Missouri State University