Tutorial 7: Interpreting the Results

Tutorial 7: Interpreting the Results#

Good Research Practices

Content creators: Yuxin Zhou, Samuel Akpan, Marguerite Brown, Natalie Steinemann, Zane Mitrevica

Content reviewers: Sherry Mi, Maria Gonzalez, Nahid Hasan, Beatriz Cosenza Muralles, Katrina Dobson, Sloane Garelick, Cheng Zhang

Content editors: Jenna Pearson, Chi Zhang, Ohad Zivan

Production editors: Wesley Banfield, Jenna Pearson, Chi Zhang, Ohad Zivan

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Tutorials Objectives#

In Tutorials 5-8, you will learn about the research process. This includes how to

Draft analyses of data to test a hypothesis
Implement analysis of data
Interpret results in the context of existing knowledge
Communicate your results and conclusions

By the end of these tutorials you will be able to:

Understand the principles of good research practices
Learn to view a scientific data set or question through the lens of equity: Who is represented by this data and who is not? Who has access to this information? Who is in a position to use it?

Video 1: Interpreting the Results#

In Step 6, we created plots displaying the global CO₂ levels and sea surface temperature data spanning the past 800 thousand years. Additionally, we attempted to fit both variables using a linear regression model. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that correlation does not imply causation. The fact that global CO₂ and sea surface temperature appear to co-vary does not automatically imply that one variable directly causes changes in the other. To establish causation, it is imperative to gather multiple lines of evidence. This underscores the importance of literature review in Step 2, as it aids in identifying corroborating evidence in climate research.

Quantifying the Uncertainty#

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Look up "linear regression model R squared" and how it measures the uncertainty of a linear regression model. What does it say about how confident you can be about a linear relationship between CO₂ and temperature?

Activity: Interpreting the Results Through the Lens of Equity#

For the next 10 minutes, discuss what the results capture well in terms of the relationship between CO₂ and temperature. Who is represented by this data, specifically the compiled temperature record, and who is not? Who generated these data? Who has access to this information? Who is in a position to use it?