In order to determine the relationship between your independent and dependent variable, you will need to create a graph. In order to create a graph within this interface, we will employ the same online data analysis platform we utilized in Lesson 3 called CODAP. Below, you will see a CODAP workbench.
- The platform is below these instructions. Start by typing your independent variable in the table where it currently reads "Replace with Independent Variable". (Your independent variable is one of the following: initial water amount, water temperature, can volume, or amount of time the can is left on the hot plate.)
- In order to create a graph, drag your independent variable to the x-axis of the plot as shown in the GIF on the right; the example GIF uses water temperature as an independent variable.
- Drag the % Crush variable to the y-axis of the plot as shown in the GIF on the right.
- Observe the resulting plot. Then answer the questions below the CODAP workbench.
In lesson 4, we learned how to identify trends in a graph of two variables for both a direct relationship and an inverse relationship.
But what if your graph doesn't clearly exhibit either of the relationships in the graphs shown above? There is another possibility that we have yet to discuss, that is two variables exhibiting no relationship. If adding a trendline to your data displays a line with a slope close to zero (a horizontal line), then your variables are said to have a no relationship. A graph of two variables (A and B) with a no relationship is shown below.
