GEOG 2110 - Lab Notes
Lab 1 - Analyzing Continuous Data in Excel
● Regression Analysis
○ Useful to describe 2 categories of variables:
■ Dependent (Y)
■ Independent (X)
○ Relationship between X & Y is functional
○ Might or might not be causal
● Linear Regression - Trend Line
○ Line of best fit determined by a straight line: y = mx + b
■ b = y-intercept
● Value of y when x=0
■ m = slope of line
● Scaling factor: increasing in y with unit change in x
● Coefficient of Determination (R2)
○ R2 is the measurement of “goodness of fit” of a regression
○ Measures the amount of variation in y that can be accounted for by variation in x
● Lab Directions
○ Data must be cited; each graph should contain the citation
○ Part A
■ From the FAQ section on the NASA website
○ Part B
■ Is focused on importing the data, setting up an excel sheet, and analyzing the
data
■ Only to columns you should need are A (year) and N (annual data)
○ Part C
■ Make sure to design your figures appropriately
■ Scatter plot with lines
■ For F2 graph, you need a moving average trendline
Lab 2 - The Carbon Cycle
● Residence Time
○ Residence time = Size of reservoir / Average carbon flux rate
● Pathways and Net Carbon Exchange
○ Inputs and outputs are the pathways for carbon exchange
○ Calculate the net carbon exchange by summing:
■ The input pathways as positives and the output pathways as negatives
● Tips on Answering Questions
○ Question 4a)
■ In your answer, name the reservoir and report the associated residence time
○ Question 3
Lab 1 - Analyzing Continuous Data in Excel
● Regression Analysis
○ Useful to describe 2 categories of variables:
■ Dependent (Y)
■ Independent (X)
○ Relationship between X & Y is functional
○ Might or might not be causal
● Linear Regression - Trend Line
○ Line of best fit determined by a straight line: y = mx + b
■ b = y-intercept
● Value of y when x=0
■ m = slope of line
● Scaling factor: increasing in y with unit change in x
● Coefficient of Determination (R2)
○ R2 is the measurement of “goodness of fit” of a regression
○ Measures the amount of variation in y that can be accounted for by variation in x
● Lab Directions
○ Data must be cited; each graph should contain the citation
○ Part A
■ From the FAQ section on the NASA website
○ Part B
■ Is focused on importing the data, setting up an excel sheet, and analyzing the
data
■ Only to columns you should need are A (year) and N (annual data)
○ Part C
■ Make sure to design your figures appropriately
■ Scatter plot with lines
■ For F2 graph, you need a moving average trendline
Lab 2 - The Carbon Cycle
● Residence Time
○ Residence time = Size of reservoir / Average carbon flux rate
● Pathways and Net Carbon Exchange
○ Inputs and outputs are the pathways for carbon exchange
○ Calculate the net carbon exchange by summing:
■ The input pathways as positives and the output pathways as negatives
● Tips on Answering Questions
○ Question 4a)
■ In your answer, name the reservoir and report the associated residence time
○ Question 3
