Compute This B

[zyzzyva980]

I get it. But if you couldn't find the data, they should've thrown the event out. If they didn't, then data was probably findable. And just because you can't find the data, that doesn't give you any reason to fake the data. I understand that sometimes you can get data wrong, but deliberately making up data is not in your best interest. The "student's pledge" on SOinc reads:

I pledge to put forth my best effort in the Science Olympiad tournament and to uphold the principles of honest competition. In my events, I will compete with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship towards my fellow competitors. I will display courtesy towards Event Supervisors and Tournament Personnel. My actions will exemplify the proud spirit of my school, team, and state.

Are you really following that when you forge data?

[tuftedtitmouse12]

well, then WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE DATA?

[zyzzyva980]

Do the best with what you can find. Don't make any of it up, though.

[quadratic]

Z,the event is in two sections, one for finding data and one for making a excel graph, just because you can't find the data does mean you need to fail both. Its not bad sportsmanship to put in random number to show that you can format the graph. On any test the point is to show that you have learned how to do something, how can I show that I know how to format the graph is I don't put numbers in it.

[zyzzyva980]

I understand how this event works. I did it the past two years, and quite well. I understand that you need to make a graph. But I'm just saying, you shouldn't have to make up numbers to do that. Do the best with what you can find. Maybe the numbers aren't exact, but you can at least put something related in.

Does anyone remember what specific data you were looking for? I'd like to try to find it myself, if possible, to understand just why everyone from Illinois was having problems.

[tuftedtitmouse12]

tornado touchdowns in the us from years 2000-2010 (quadratic, correct me if i am wrong) as well as tornado fatalities from the same years...

[zyzzyva980]

So it was two parts? Was it double line or double bar?

[tuftedtitmouse12]

double line-i think one graph....WHERES QUADRATIC? OR KTYOUNGSTER?? ditchers...

[zyzzyva980]

Here you go:



Info found at:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/monthly/newm.html
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/torn/fataltorn.html

You have to start at NWS, that's the only section of NOAA that will have tornado statistics. Search only NWS, not all of NOAA. It was just a simple matter of "tornado statistics" to get me the first page, which even had a nice link to the second.

Note that on the graph I included the numbers at each data point on the graph, that way the adjudicators know what each point represents. I had to do some work with changing the series, etc, to get the graph to come out this way, and I changed the text angle to +90 degrees to make the X-axis more organized. Cool thing about at least Excel 2003 and 2007, since you have to print it out, and it only prints up to column E on the first page, you can expand columns A-E to a reasonable limit and have a larger graph that still prints out on the same page.

Also note that it took me all of five minutes to find the data, the rest was formatting and uploading the graph, so I'm confused as to why everyone seemed to have so much trouble.

EDIT: It appears the question was actually 1990-2010... I don't want to upload another graph, but here it is in one neat little chart. Just takes a little digging. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=taw-part4-tornado_stats
EDIT2: That's not just Wisconsin, look at the very bottom.

[AlphaTauri]

and i didn't know that you could fake data...

Guys... you aren't supposed to fake data. Plain and simple. You aren't supposed to do it. This is not a "faking data" competition. This is a "find the data" competition. If you can't find the data, you aren't doing your job. It is against the main rules of Science Olympiad to fake data. It destroys the integrity of the competition. If someone else is doing it, they will get what they deserve later on. You should at least have enough class to do the competition RIGHT.

Completely agreed, Z.

The thing is, if YOU can't find the data (assuming you are reasonably prepared and/or reasonably competent with the search box), it likely means that no one else can find it either (*cough*2010PAstates*cough*). Also in the rules, you're graded on the "completeness, accuracy, and format of graphical data presentation". If you fake the data, then you are neither complete nor accurate, and unless they specify the type of graph to use, it won't be formatted correctly either.