Geography 107

Part 4: Making and Testing a Hypothesis with Maps

Step 13: Next, you are going to make some maps of data that you chose. Try to have some fun with this. Experiment...explore.

To start, click on the "Relgious Groups" link near the top of the page. It shoud return you to the "Maps" homepage . From there take 10 minutes or so and explore the maps that are available to you in the three categories they list: "Indidividual Denominations", "U.S. Census Variables" and "Crime, Voting and Other Measures". Some of this stuff is pretty cool. Think about the things you've heard about religions and religious denominations and religious people.

Your task to make a hypothesis about a relationship between two variables of your chosing. One of the variables must be a religious variable. I would suggest you use the MAJOR RELIGIOUS groups, rather than individual denominations. The other variable should be any variable from the "Census Variables" or from the "Crime, Voting and Other" measures.

You will write down your hypothesis, in the responses boxes below. Then you will test it by comparing two maps and interpreting the correlation coefficient that is generated for you by the online mapping software. The last, and hardest part, is to explain why you think the correlation coefficient came out as it did.

An example is provided for you.

Step 14: After you have thought up a test you'd like to perform, complete the hypothesis below by filling in the blanks and chosing from the drop down menus provided.

I hypothesis that there is Answer 13 -Select- a Positive a Negative (inverse) No relationship between the Answer 14 -Select- Number of congregations Number of adherents Rate of adherence of / for

Answer 15 and the

Answer 15b -Select- Rate Percent Number Other of / for (this MUST match the scale of your answer in 14). If you select other, note it in the box below as you answer that question.

Step 15: Report the correlation coefficient that the software generated.

Question 17: Fill in the blank to complete the sentence below.

The correlation coefficient between my two variables is: Answer 17:

Step 16: Offer an explanation of the pattern that you see. Did the correlation coefficient have the same direction (positive/negative) that you thought it would? Was the relationship between the two variable as strong or weak as you thought it would be? If it wasn't why do you think it was or was not as you predicted? What other variables might affect the relationship you found?

Answer 18: Insert your explanation here. Refer to the example above if you need an idea.

Are you ready to submit the assignment?

Your instructor -Select- Steve Graves - Tuesday Section Steve Graves - Monday Section (pick one from the drop down list).

Name:

code:

When you click the button below, you will be directed to a web page that shows your answers. The instructor will get a copy of this email as well, but you may want to keep a copy for your records. If you are curious about the correct answers, please bring your questions to class.