How can I plot graphs and carry out linear regression using a spreadsheet program like Excel? PreLab 2.10

BIOL 1406

PreLab 2.10

How can I plot graphs and carry out linear regression using a spreadsheet program like Excel?

Summary of Data Analysis in BIOL 1406

Below is a list of procedures that you will frequently use to analyze data in BIOL 1406. In addition to being able to carry out each procedure, you should also be able to explain what it is used for and what it tells you.

1. The following procedures can be carried out using EITHER a hand-held calculator with pen and graph paper OR a computer with spreadsheet program and printer. You should know how to use both methods. For each assignment during the semester, check with your instructor to see if he/she requires one particular method or the other.

Organize data in a clearly labeled table
Calculate the mean for a single list of numbers
Calculate the percent error of the mean for a single list of numbers
Calculate the standard deviation for a single list of numbers
Plot a clearly labeled scatter diagram for a paired list of numbers
Carry out linear regression for a paired list of numbers (You should be able to determine the linear correlation coefficient and the equation of the best-fit straight line for a paired list of numbers. You should also be able to use the equation to calculate the y-value if given any x-value within the linear region of the curve, and to calculate the x-value if given any y-value within the linear region of the curve.)
Plot the best-fit straight line (trend line) for a paired list of numbers on your scatter diagram

2. You should be able to perform the Student’s T test using a computer with spreadsheet program and printer.

YOUR TURN

As previously mentioned in the first Lab Exercise, 3 Excel quizzes have been posted on the Internet to help you learn the features of Excel that are required for this class. As part of this prelab section, you must complete Excel Quiz 3. When you are finished with the quiz, save your spreadsheet and then send an email to your instructor with the spreadsheet attached. Links to the quiz are provided below.

Excel Quiz 3 explains how to use Excel to plot graphs and carry out linear regression. You can find another description of how to plot graphs and carry out linear regression with Excel in Appendix E at the end of this lab manual.

Excel Quiz 3 for Excel 2007 (use this link if you plan to use Excel 2007 - recommended)

Excel Quiz 3 for Excel 97- 2003 (use this link if you plan to use an earlier version of Excel)

Remember to send an email to your instructor with the spreadsheet from Quiz 3 attached!!!

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