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FAQ for KIDS COUNT ANALYSIS TOOL 1. What are the system and software requirements for using the KIDS COUNT analysis tools? The Scatter Plot and Trend Analysis Tools will work on any system with Microsoft Excel 97 or greater, including both Macs and PCs. The Mapping Tool requires that you download and install the free ArcExplorer 2 software. ArcExplorer 2 works on Windows 98/2000/NT/XP operating systems. Unfortunately, ArcExplorer does not work on the MacOS platform. 2. How do I download one of the analysis tools? Please read and follow the download instructions carefully. 3. Why can't I change cells on the worksheets? The KIDS COUNT tool is protected from changes to preserve the accuracy of the data and its functionality. If you would like to alter the tool or conduct your own analysis using the original data, please contact ssdan-staff@umich.edu or visit www.kidscount.org. 4. When I select a variable from the pull down menu, my scatter plot does not work. Why? Make sure that you have selected a year that exists for your selected variable (e.g., "JuvenileViolentCrime Arrest Rate" is available for the years 1997 and 1998. To find out what years data exist for a given variable, refer to the table next to the scatter plot. 5. The ranking buttons don't do anything or I get an error. Why? Make sure you do not have 'macros' disabled. When you opened the tool, you should have been prompted to 'enable' or 'disable' macros. Macros must be enabled for the ranking function to work. The macros in the tool will not cause harm to your computer. If you were not prompted to enable macros when you opened the tool, do the following:
a) In the "Tools" menu, go to "Macro", then "Security..." 6. How do I cut and paste my scatter plot? Select the entire chart by clicking near one of the outer borders (you should see several black markers appear around the edge of the chart). Copy the chart by either choosing 'copy' from the File menu, by right-clicking near the chart edge and choosing 'copy', or by using CTRL+C after you have selected the chart. Then, simply paste the chart into a document or another spreadsheet as you would with any other software. Note that you must cut and paste separately, or record by hand, the correlation statistic, as well as the variables that correspond to your scatter plot chart. 7. What does the "Correlation" statistic mean? The correlation coefficient or Pearson's r is a measure of the degree of linear association existing between two variables. We want to pay close attention to both the direction and strength of the association. A positive correlation is indicated by the absence of a negative sign and means that variables are changing in the same direction. An increase or decrease in one variable corresponds to the same change in another variable. For example, we would expect that the more time a students studies for an exam (x) the higher the exam score (y). A negative relationship is indicated by a minus sign and means that as one variable increases there is a corresponding decrease in another variable. The strength of a relationship is indicated by the numeric value of the coefficient. Coefficients range from 1.0 to 1.0. These values are examples of perfect correlations. In reality most values are found in between 1.0 and 1.0. Correlations of .30 or less (either + or -) are considered weak, .31 - .70 (either + or -) are deemed moderate and .71 and above (either + or -) considered strong. These are not absolute rules but should be used as a guide in interpretation. Note that the higher the correlation coefficient (either positive or negative), the more closely clustered the data points are in the shape of a diagonal line. 8. Additional Questions? How can I get involved in the KIDS COUNT in the Classroom project or use the Analysis Tool in my class? For answers to these questions and others, send an e-mail to ssdan-staff@umich.edu. |
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