Indiana Social Studies P.1.6

Social StudiesGrades 9–12History and Scientific Method

The Standard

Define correlation coefficients and explain their appropriate interpretation.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students define a correlation coefficient as a number from -1 to +1 that describes the direction and strength of a linear relationship. They explain what its sign and size mean for two sets of data.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that r = -0.82 shows a strong negative relationship, while r = 0.20 shows a weak positive one. They can say that neither number proves cause and effect.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a negative number means a weak relationship. They may think r = 0 rules out every kind of relationship, even a curved one. A strong correlation can also be mistaken for proof that one variable caused the other.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: In 20 towns, r = -0.82 for distance from a railroad station and number of factories. Describe the relationship and say whether the number proves that station distance caused the difference.

Lesson moves

Plot these study-hour and quiz-score pairs on graph paper: (1,50), (2,65), (3,60), (4,85), (5,90). Estimate the sign and strength of r.
Ask: If factory jobs and city populations rose together from 1900 to 1920, does that prove factories caused population growth?
Give pairs of r values, such as -0.85 and 0.40. Students choose the stronger relationship and explain each sign.
Use a printed 1900 to 1950 census table of year and urban population. Ask whether a positive r explains why cities grew.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to P.1.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.