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Spurious correlation #3,034 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and the second variable is Google searches for 'xkcd'.  The chart goes from 2011 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the number of Associate degrees awarded in Accounting and related services dropped, there was a corresponding decline in people making boring charts and graphs. This ultimately led to a reduced appreciation for the wry and nerdy humor found in xkcd comics. After all, without the barrage of accountants-in-training, who was left to calculate the exact angle of wit and the differential of humor in Randall Munroe's iconic stick figure creations?

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image that combines [ A scene from Skyrim ] with the following scene: In a cozy classroom, a group of students proudly receive their Associates degrees in Accounting and related services. They are surrounded by financial charts and calculators, symbolizing their expertise in the field. In the background, a computer screen shows a decreasing trend in Google searches for "xkcd", indicating the decline in math-related humor appreciation due to the shortage of accountants. The setting should be warm and inviting, with the characters wearing graduation attire and celebrating their achievement. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Vaporwave Realistic A scene from Skyrim Magic realism Scalar art
ChatGPT: A scene from Skyrim

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd', in the following situation: Because fewer accountants means less math jokes understood, leading to decreased xkcd searches.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a cozy classroom, a group of students proudly receive their Associates degrees in Accounting and related services. They are surrounded by financial charts and calculators, symbolizing their expertise in the field. In the background, a computer screen shows a decreasing trend in Google searches for "xkcd", indicating the decline in math-related humor appreciation due to the shortage of accountants.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A scene from Skyrim ] and depicting this scene: In a cozy classroom, a group of students proudly receive their Associates degrees in Accounting and related services. They are surrounded by financial charts and calculators, symbolizing their expertise in the field. In the background, a computer screen shows a decreasing trend in Google searches for "xkcd", indicating the decline in math-related humor appreciation due to the shortage of accountants. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image that combines [ A scene from Skyrim ] with the following scene: In a cozy classroom, a group of students proudly receive their Associates degrees in Accounting and related services. They are surrounded by financial charts and calculators, symbolizing their expertise in the field. In the background, a computer screen shows a decreasing trend in Google searches for "xkcd", indicating the decline in math-related humor appreciation due to the shortage of accountants. The setting should be warm and inviting, with the characters wearing graduation attire and celebrating their achievement.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services caused xkcd (Google searches for 'xkcd') to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

The Journal of Quirky Educational Research

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, just make it sound clever.

Your research team used data from National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and p < 0.01 for 2011 to 2021.

Please respond in this format (replace "Lorem ipsum dolor sit" with your title and abstract)

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down unexpected paths, uncovering intriguing correlations between seemingly unrelated phenomena. In this paper, we delve into the quirky world of data analysis to explore the enthralling relationship between the attainment of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for the popular webcomic 'xkcd'. While at first glance these two subjects appear to be as mismatched as a calculator in a comedy club, our comprehensive analysis reveals a surprising interconnection that tickles the intellect and piques curiosity.

The allure of 'xkcd', a webcomic known for its clever humor, scientific wit, and occasional existential musings, has captivated a diverse audience of internet denizens. Meanwhile, the field of Accounting and related services entices students with the promise of numerical prowess, fiscal finesse, and the enigmatic allure of balancing budgets. The juxtaposition of these two worlds forms the bedrock of our investigation, challenging us to unravel the underlying threads that bind them together.

Scholars have long sought to decipher the intricate dance of cause and effect within the academic and digital realms. Our study endeavors to contribute to this scholarly pursuit by exploring the statistical correlation between the annual number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches conducted on Google. Through rigorous data analysis and statistical modeling, we aim to illuminate this tangential relationship, offering a lighthearted yet empirically grounded examination of the unexpected harmony between scholarly pursuits and humorous diversions.

As we embark on this whimsical journey of correlation and causation, we invite our readers to embrace the delightful absurdity of our subject matter. By blending the rigors of empirical analysis with a dash of levity, we aim to infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of mirth, reminding ourselves that even in the realm of academia, a bit of humor can bring a twinkle to the eye and a spring to the step of scholarly inquiry. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a scholarly voyage as we navigate the undulating waves of number-crunching and internet hilarity in our quest to uncover the enigmatic counting connections between Degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down unexpected paths, uncovering intriguing correlations between seemingly unrelated phenomena. In this paper, we delve into the quirky world of data analysis to explore the enthralling relationship between the attainment of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for the popular webcomic 'xkcd'. While at first glance these two subjects appear to be as mismatched as a calculator in a comedy club, our comprehensive analysis reveals a surprising interconnection that tickles the intellect and piques curiosity.
The allure of 'xkcd', a webcomic known for its clever humor, scientific wit, and occasional existential musings, has captivated a diverse audience of internet denizens. Meanwhile, the field of Accounting and related services entices students with the promise of numerical prowess, fiscal finesse, and the enigmatic allure of balancing budgets. The juxtaposition of these two worlds forms the bedrock of our investigation, challenging us to unravel the underlying threads that bind them together.
Scholars have long sought to decipher the intricate dance of cause and effect within the academic and digital realms. Our study endeavors to contribute to this scholarly pursuit by exploring the statistical correlation between the annual number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches conducted on Google. Through rigorous data analysis and statistical modeling, we aim to illuminate this tangential relationship, offering a lighthearted yet empirically grounded examination of the unexpected harmony between scholarly pursuits and humorous diversions.
As we embark on this whimsical journey of correlation and causation, we invite our readers to embrace the delightful absurdity of our subject matter. By blending the rigors of empirical analysis with a dash of levity, we aim to infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of mirth, reminding ourselves that even in the realm of academia, a bit of humor can bring a twinkle to the eye and a spring to the step of scholarly inquiry. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a scholarly voyage as we navigate the undulating waves of number-crunching and internet hilarity in our quest to uncover the enigmatic counting connections between Degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The correlation between seemingly unrelated phenomena has been a subject of perennial fascination among scholars, prompting investigations into unexpected connections that defy conventional wisdom. One such enigmatic correlation that has captured the attention of researchers is the relationship between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. While the initial conjecture of any meaningful association between these two domains might elicit a chuckle or two, our investigation delves deep into the empirical and scholarly attempts to unravel this peculiar correlation.

In "Smith et al.'s Analysis of Educational Attainment and Search Patterns," the authors find no prior empirical evidence to suggest a link between academic pursuits in Accounting and the search behavior of individuals for webcomics. However, our study challenges this conventional understanding by presenting compelling evidence of a high positive correlation between the pursuit of financial acumen and the quest for internet-based humor.

Doe and Jones, in their seminal work "Digital Diversions and Academic Aspirations," acknowledge the interplay between leisurely internet wanderings and academic pursuits but do not venture into investigating specific disciplines such as Accounting. Our research bridges this gap by focusing on the niche domain of Accounting and its unexpected connection to a widely beloved webcomic.

Turning to the realm of non-fiction literature, the economic treatise "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner offers an unconventional perspective on the hidden causes behind seemingly unrelated phenomena, providing a theoretical backdrop for our exploration of the unexpected correlation between education in Accounting and internet comic searches. Similarly, "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein provides insights into the underlying behavioral motivations that may drive individuals to engage in seemingly disjointed activities.

Shifting gears towards fiction, the classic novel "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis serves as a whimsical departure from traditional academic discourse, infusing our scholarly investigation with a touch of literary levity. The unpredictable nature of statistical correlations and unanticipated linkages between disparate entities finds a parallel in the serendipitous discoveries made within the narrative of "Moneyball."

In our quest to unravel the unconventional correlation between academic pursuits and internet humor, we also delved into the whimsical world of cartoons and children's shows. The animated series "Phineas and Ferb" offers a lighthearted portrayal of the unexpected tangents that scholarly endeavors can take, resonating with our own scholarly odyssey of unraveling the enigmatic counting connections between Associates degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches. Similarly, the inquisitive nature of the characters in "Sesame Street" serves as a reminder of the curiosity and delight that underpins our exploration of this peculiar correlation.

As we tread the labyrinthine pathways of empirical inquiry and scholarly whimsy, our study invites readers to embrace the delightful absurdity and intellectual merriment that permeate the peculiar connections we uncover, transcending the boundaries of traditional academic discourse to blend empirical rigor with a touch of scholarly amusement.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends . You used data from 2011 to 2021

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down unexpected paths, uncovering intriguing correlations between seemingly unrelated phenomena. In this paper, we delve into the quirky world of data analysis to explore the enthralling relationship between the attainment of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for the popular webcomic 'xkcd'. While at first glance these two subjects appear to be as mismatched as a calculator in a comedy club, our comprehensive analysis reveals a surprising interconnection that tickles the intellect and piques curiosity.
The allure of 'xkcd', a webcomic known for its clever humor, scientific wit, and occasional existential musings, has captivated a diverse audience of internet denizens. Meanwhile, the field of Accounting and related services entices students with the promise of numerical prowess, fiscal finesse, and the enigmatic allure of balancing budgets. The juxtaposition of these two worlds forms the bedrock of our investigation, challenging us to unravel the underlying threads that bind them together.
Scholars have long sought to decipher the intricate dance of cause and effect within the academic and digital realms. Our study endeavors to contribute to this scholarly pursuit by exploring the statistical correlation between the annual number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches conducted on Google. Through rigorous data analysis and statistical modeling, we aim to illuminate this tangential relationship, offering a lighthearted yet empirically grounded examination of the unexpected harmony between scholarly pursuits and humorous diversions.
As we embark on this whimsical journey of correlation and causation, we invite our readers to embrace the delightful absurdity of our subject matter. By blending the rigors of empirical analysis with a dash of levity, we aim to infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of mirth, reminding ourselves that even in the realm of academia, a bit of humor can bring a twinkle to the eye and a spring to the step of scholarly inquiry. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a scholarly voyage as we navigate the undulating waves of number-crunching and internet hilarity in our quest to uncover the enigmatic counting connections between Degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The approach taken to investigate the curious correlation between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd' was as rigorous as it was whimsical. The data utilized in this study was primarily sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, offering a blend of academic gravitas and digital whimsy.

To commence our investigation, annual data on the number of Associates degrees granted in Accounting and related services was meticulously collected from the hallowed halls of statistical repositories. This involved sifting through census-like data tables, tackling spreadsheets that seemed to have multiplied like rabbits, and occasionally engaging in a dramatic standoff with the dreaded data-entry typos. Once the dust settled, we emerged with a robust dataset spanning the years 2011 to 2021, encompassing a decade of scholarly pursuits in the realm of financial numeracy.

Complementing this trove of academic information, we turned to the playfully sophisticated realm of Google Trends to capture the ebbs and flows of public interest in the revered webcomic 'xkcd'. Utilizing the platform's search volume index, we navigated the capricious seas of internet whimsy, tracking the frequency of 'xkcd' searches over the same time period. It was a digital treasure hunt, where we sifted through countless search trends, occasionally getting lost in the labyrinth of internet idiosyncrasies, and emerged victorious with a bounty of comedic search data.

With these two distinct datasets in hand—one steeped in the solemnity of academic awards, the other drenched in the digital mirth of internet humor—we set sail on the choppy seas of statistical analysis.

The first mate in our statistical expedition was the Pearson correlation coefficient, wielded with precision reminiscent of a meticulous comedian crafting the perfect punchline. This stalwart statistician dutifully scrutinized the relationship between the number of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches, revealing the strength and direction of the association with a quirkily precise numerical value. Simultaneously, the stalwart p-value stood guard, gauging the statistical significance of our findings with all the gravitas of a scholarly sentinel.

In addition, a series of regression models regaled us with their predictive prowess, allowing us to peer into the crystal ball of mathematical prognostication and estimate the impact of Associates degrees on 'xkcd' searches. Like academic soothsayers, these models unveiled insights that shed light on the enigmatic interplay between the pursuit of financial savvy and the quest for internet humor.

The final step in our methodological ballet involved dancing through the gauntlet of sensitivity analyses, scrutinizing our findings with the skepticism of a jest-seeking philosopher. These analyses tested the robustness of our results, ensuring that our correlation between Associates degrees in Accounting and Google searches for 'xkcd' stood firm against the whims of statistical chance and the tempestuous winds of academic inquiry.

In summary, our methodology artfully blended the solemnity of scholarly data collection with the whimsy of internet search trends, employing statistical tools to unveil the enigmatic correlation between the pursuit of financial acumen and the allure of web-based humor. This analytical waltz, though unconventional, allowed us to shed light on the unexpected ties that bind these seemingly disparate domains, inviting scholars and humor enthusiasts alike to revel in the delightful absurdity of our findings.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends .

For the time period 2011 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9875990, r-squared of 0.9753519, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down unexpected paths, uncovering intriguing correlations between seemingly unrelated phenomena. In this paper, we delve into the quirky world of data analysis to explore the enthralling relationship between the attainment of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for the popular webcomic 'xkcd'. While at first glance these two subjects appear to be as mismatched as a calculator in a comedy club, our comprehensive analysis reveals a surprising interconnection that tickles the intellect and piques curiosity.
The allure of 'xkcd', a webcomic known for its clever humor, scientific wit, and occasional existential musings, has captivated a diverse audience of internet denizens. Meanwhile, the field of Accounting and related services entices students with the promise of numerical prowess, fiscal finesse, and the enigmatic allure of balancing budgets. The juxtaposition of these two worlds forms the bedrock of our investigation, challenging us to unravel the underlying threads that bind them together.
Scholars have long sought to decipher the intricate dance of cause and effect within the academic and digital realms. Our study endeavors to contribute to this scholarly pursuit by exploring the statistical correlation between the annual number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches conducted on Google. Through rigorous data analysis and statistical modeling, we aim to illuminate this tangential relationship, offering a lighthearted yet empirically grounded examination of the unexpected harmony between scholarly pursuits and humorous diversions.
As we embark on this whimsical journey of correlation and causation, we invite our readers to embrace the delightful absurdity of our subject matter. By blending the rigors of empirical analysis with a dash of levity, we aim to infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of mirth, reminding ourselves that even in the realm of academia, a bit of humor can bring a twinkle to the eye and a spring to the step of scholarly inquiry. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a scholarly voyage as we navigate the undulating waves of number-crunching and internet hilarity in our quest to uncover the enigmatic counting connections between Degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our investigation unveiled a remarkably robust correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we meticulously analyzed the patterns spanning the years 2011 to 2021.

The correlation coefficient, a striking 0.9875990, indicates an exceptionally strong positive relationship between these seemingly incongruous variables. This finding suggests a parallel rise in the pursuit of financial expertise and the quest for internet enlightenment through the pages of 'xkcd'. The regression analysis further underscored this connection, yielding an r-squared value of 0.9753519. In statistical terms, this indicates that approximately 97.5% of the variation in 'xkcd' searches can be explained by the number of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services – a surprising revelation indeed.

Our analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, signifying the statistical significance of this correlation. In layman's terms, it is highly unlikely that such a strong association between these variables occurred by mere chance. The meticulously gathered data culminated in a scatterplot (see Fig. 1) that vividly illustrates the tight relationship between the two domains. Each data point, like the punchline of a joke, reinforces the coherence of this unexpected association, inviting us to reflect on the intricate coupling of scholarly pursuits and recreational diversions.

As we ponder the implications of these findings, one cannot help but marvel at the whimsical interplay of academic pursuits and internet humor, a resonance that transcends conventional boundaries of scholarly inquiry. This correlation, like a well-executed punchline, highlights the delightful unpredictability that permeates the tapestry of human interests and intellectual pursuits. While the exact mechanisms driving this connection remain shrouded in enigma, our study offers a lighthearted lens through which to contemplate the peculiar tapestry of human curiosity and cultural connectedness.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The correlation between seemingly unrelated phenomena has been a subject of perennial fascination among scholars, prompting investigations into unexpected connections that defy conventional wisdom. One such enigmatic correlation that has captured the attention of researchers is the relationship between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. While the initial conjecture of any meaningful association between these two domains might elicit a chuckle or two, our investigation delves deep into the empirical and scholarly attempts to unravel this peculiar correlation.
In "Smith et al.'s Analysis of Educational Attainment and Search Patterns," the authors find no prior empirical evidence to suggest a link between academic pursuits in Accounting and the search behavior of individuals for webcomics. However, our study challenges this conventional understanding by presenting compelling evidence of a high positive correlation between the pursuit of financial acumen and the quest for internet-based humor.
Doe and Jones, in their seminal work "Digital Diversions and Academic Aspirations," acknowledge the interplay between leisurely internet wanderings and academic pursuits but do not venture into investigating specific disciplines such as Accounting. Our research bridges this gap by focusing on the niche domain of Accounting and its unexpected connection to a widely beloved webcomic.
Turning to the realm of non-fiction literature, the economic treatise "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner offers an unconventional perspective on the hidden causes behind seemingly unrelated phenomena, providing a theoretical backdrop for our exploration of the unexpected correlation between education in Accounting and internet comic searches. Similarly, "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein provides insights into the underlying behavioral motivations that may drive individuals to engage in seemingly disjointed activities.
Shifting gears towards fiction, the classic novel "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis serves as a whimsical departure from traditional academic discourse, infusing our scholarly investigation with a touch of literary levity. The unpredictable nature of statistical correlations and unanticipated linkages between disparate entities finds a parallel in the serendipitous discoveries made within the narrative of "Moneyball."
In our quest to unravel the unconventional correlation between academic pursuits and internet humor, we also delved into the whimsical world of cartoons and children's shows. The animated series "Phineas and Ferb" offers a lighthearted portrayal of the unexpected tangents that scholarly endeavors can take, resonating with our own scholarly odyssey of unraveling the enigmatic counting connections between Associates degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches. Similarly, the inquisitive nature of the characters in "Sesame Street" serves as a reminder of the curiosity and delight that underpins our exploration of this peculiar correlation.
As we tread the labyrinthine pathways of empirical inquiry and scholarly whimsy, our study invites readers to embrace the delightful absurdity and intellectual merriment that permeate the peculiar connections we uncover, transcending the boundaries of traditional academic discourse to blend empirical rigor with a touch of scholarly amusement.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation unveiled a remarkably robust correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we meticulously analyzed the patterns spanning the years 2011 to 2021.
The correlation coefficient, a striking 0.9875990, indicates an exceptionally strong positive relationship between these seemingly incongruous variables. This finding suggests a parallel rise in the pursuit of financial expertise and the quest for internet enlightenment through the pages of 'xkcd'. The regression analysis further underscored this connection, yielding an r-squared value of 0.9753519. In statistical terms, this indicates that approximately 97.5% of the variation in 'xkcd' searches can be explained by the number of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services – a surprising revelation indeed.
Our analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, signifying the statistical significance of this correlation. In layman's terms, it is highly unlikely that such a strong association between these variables occurred by mere chance. The meticulously gathered data culminated in a scatterplot (see Fig. 1) that vividly illustrates the tight relationship between the two domains. Each data point, like the punchline of a joke, reinforces the coherence of this unexpected association, inviting us to reflect on the intricate coupling of scholarly pursuits and recreational diversions.
As we ponder the implications of these findings, one cannot help but marvel at the whimsical interplay of academic pursuits and internet humor, a resonance that transcends conventional boundaries of scholarly inquiry. This correlation, like a well-executed punchline, highlights the delightful unpredictability that permeates the tapestry of human interests and intellectual pursuits. While the exact mechanisms driving this connection remain shrouded in enigma, our study offers a lighthearted lens through which to contemplate the peculiar tapestry of human curiosity and cultural connectedness.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of our investigation reveal a captivating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd', affirming the unexpected association posited in our literature review. Here, we embark on a scholarly odyssey that combines humor and empirical inquiry, akin to parsing through the perplexing puns of an intricate webcomic.

Our findings echo the whimsical wisdom of "Smith et al.'s Analysis of Educational Attainment and Search Patterns," which, though initially humorously dismissed the link, is now brought to light by our robust correlation coefficient of 0.9875990. This correlation coefficient stands as a testament to the unexpected synchronicity between the pursuit of financial acumen and the yearning for web-based jauntiness.

Furthermore, our results substantiate the serendipitous connections between academic pursuits and leisurely musings highlighted by Doe and Jones in "Digital Diversions and Academic Aspirations." The statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 serves as a whimsical wink to the interplay between scholarly endeavors in Accounting and the pursuit of internet comic relief.

As we contemplate the implications of our findings, we are reminded of the unexpected tangents that scholarly pursuits can take, much like the lighthearted portrayal in the animated series "Phineas and Ferb." Our study encourages readers to embrace the delightful absurdity and intellectual delight that underpins the peculiar connections we uncover, transcending the boundaries of traditional academic discourse to blend empirical rigor with a touch of scholarly amusement.

In this investigation, we have peeled back the layers of statistical intrigue to reveal a correlation that transcends the mundanity of standard scholarly inquiry. Our study extends an invitation to engage with the enigmatic weaving of scholarly pursuits and recreational diversions, offering a scholarly lens through which to contemplate the whimsical tapestry of human curiosity and cultural interconnectedness.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and Google searches for 'xkcd'. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.

The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down unexpected paths, uncovering intriguing correlations between seemingly unrelated phenomena. In this paper, we delve into the quirky world of data analysis to explore the enthralling relationship between the attainment of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for the popular webcomic 'xkcd'. While at first glance these two subjects appear to be as mismatched as a calculator in a comedy club, our comprehensive analysis reveals a surprising interconnection that tickles the intellect and piques curiosity.
The allure of 'xkcd', a webcomic known for its clever humor, scientific wit, and occasional existential musings, has captivated a diverse audience of internet denizens. Meanwhile, the field of Accounting and related services entices students with the promise of numerical prowess, fiscal finesse, and the enigmatic allure of balancing budgets. The juxtaposition of these two worlds forms the bedrock of our investigation, challenging us to unravel the underlying threads that bind them together.
Scholars have long sought to decipher the intricate dance of cause and effect within the academic and digital realms. Our study endeavors to contribute to this scholarly pursuit by exploring the statistical correlation between the annual number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the volume of 'xkcd' searches conducted on Google. Through rigorous data analysis and statistical modeling, we aim to illuminate this tangential relationship, offering a lighthearted yet empirically grounded examination of the unexpected harmony between scholarly pursuits and humorous diversions.
As we embark on this whimsical journey of correlation and causation, we invite our readers to embrace the delightful absurdity of our subject matter. By blending the rigors of empirical analysis with a dash of levity, we aim to infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of mirth, reminding ourselves that even in the realm of academia, a bit of humor can bring a twinkle to the eye and a spring to the step of scholarly inquiry. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a scholarly voyage as we navigate the undulating waves of number-crunching and internet hilarity in our quest to uncover the enigmatic counting connections between Degrees in Accounting and 'xkcd' searches.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation unveiled a remarkably robust correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we meticulously analyzed the patterns spanning the years 2011 to 2021.
The correlation coefficient, a striking 0.9875990, indicates an exceptionally strong positive relationship between these seemingly incongruous variables. This finding suggests a parallel rise in the pursuit of financial expertise and the quest for internet enlightenment through the pages of 'xkcd'. The regression analysis further underscored this connection, yielding an r-squared value of 0.9753519. In statistical terms, this indicates that approximately 97.5% of the variation in 'xkcd' searches can be explained by the number of Associates degrees in Accounting and related services – a surprising revelation indeed.
Our analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, signifying the statistical significance of this correlation. In layman's terms, it is highly unlikely that such a strong association between these variables occurred by mere chance. The meticulously gathered data culminated in a scatterplot (see Fig. 1) that vividly illustrates the tight relationship between the two domains. Each data point, like the punchline of a joke, reinforces the coherence of this unexpected association, inviting us to reflect on the intricate coupling of scholarly pursuits and recreational diversions.
As we ponder the implications of these findings, one cannot help but marvel at the whimsical interplay of academic pursuits and internet humor, a resonance that transcends conventional boundaries of scholarly inquiry. This correlation, like a well-executed punchline, highlights the delightful unpredictability that permeates the tapestry of human interests and intellectual pursuits. While the exact mechanisms driving this connection remain shrouded in enigma, our study offers a lighthearted lens through which to contemplate the peculiar tapestry of human curiosity and cultural connectedness.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has unearthed a remarkable correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd'. The high correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value indicate a striking parallel rise in the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic enlightenment through the quirky lens of 'xkcd'. It seems that while some may be balancing the books, others are balancing the hilarity of internet humor.

The unexpected threads of correlation woven between these seemingly disparate domains have left us musing on the capricious nature of human interests and digital diversions. The whimsical dance of academia and webcomics, much like a comedic waltz, reveals an underlying harmony that transcends traditional boundaries of scholarly inquiry. As we navigate this offbeat journey of correlation and causation, it becomes clear that the intersection of scholarly pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings harbors a deeper interconnectivity than meets the eye.

While the reasons behind this correlation remain elusive, our study has illuminated the delightful unpredictability that intertwines academic pursuits and digital dalliances. It's as if the pursuit of fiscal expertise and the quest for web-based wit have engaged in a tango of statistical significance. As we contemplate this merry intellectual romp, it’s apparent that the pulsating heartbeat of human curiosity orchestrates this divine and intricate dance of correlation.

In light of these findings, we assert that further research in this area is unnecessary. After all, one cannot help but wonder if delving deeper into this connection would be akin to unraveling the mystery of a good punchline – best left appreciated in its enigmatic splendor. Let us savor the delightful absurdity of this correlation and leave it to percolate in the annals of academic curiosity, much like a well-aged joke that improves with time.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Quirky Educational Research


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd'. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Quirky Quantitative Studies


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled The Counting Connections: Unraveling the Correlation Between Associates Degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Google Searches for 'xkcd' with an abstract of This paper delves into the fascinating correlation between the number of Associates degrees awarded in Accounting and related services and the frequency of Google searches for 'xkcd' over the course of a decade. Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we analyze the relationship between these seemingly disparate subjects. Our findings reveal a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9875990 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2011 to 2021.
The unexpected connection between the pursuit of financial acumen and the search for comedic brilliance in webcomics presents a conundrum worth exploring. This research provides a whimsical yet thought-provoking avenue for understanding the sociocultural dynamics behind these seemingly unrelated domains. While the underlying reasons for this association remain enigmatic, our study sheds light on the peculiar interconnectedness of academic pursuits and leisurely internet wanderings. We invite the readers to "xkcd" their curiosity and indulge in this offbeat investigation of correlation with a pinch of academic amusement.

ChatGPT:

associates degrees, accounting and related services, google searches, xkcd, correlation, national center for education statistics, google trends, academia, sociocultural dynamics, internet wanderings

*There is a bunch of Python happening behind the scenes to turn this prompt sequence into a PDF.



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Data details

Associates degrees awarded in Accounting
Detailed data title: Associate's degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions with a field of study of Accounting and related services
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
See what else correlates with Associates degrees awarded in Accounting

Google searches for 'xkcd'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'xkcd' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'xkcd'

Correlation r = 0.9875990 (Pearson correlation coefficient)
Correlation is a measure of how much the variables move together. If it is 0.99, when one goes up the other goes up. If it is 0.02, the connection is very weak or non-existent. If it is -0.99, then when one goes up the other goes down. If it is 1.00, you probably messed up your correlation function.

r2 = 0.9753519 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 97.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'xkcd') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Associates degrees awarded in Accounting) over the 11 years from 2011 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.5E-8. 0.0000000151437351934994670000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.99 in 1.5E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 66,033,907 random variables You don't actually need 66 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 10 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 10 because we have two variables measured over a period of 11 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.95, 1 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!


All values for the years included above: If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
20112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Associates degrees awarded in Accounting (Degrees awarded)2018020270180611740016080147901376013022121141146811370
Google searches for 'xkcd' (Rel. search volume)82.833372.833361.549.666741.833327.166722.416716.916714.666711.757.83333




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."


# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([20180,20270,18061,17400,16080,14790,13760,13022,12114,11468,11370,])
array_2 = np.array([82.8333,72.8333,61.5,49.6667,41.8333,27.1667,22.4167,16.9167,14.6667,11.75,7.83333,])
array_1_name = "Associates degrees awarded in Accounting"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'xkcd'"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)



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You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

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Correlation ID: 3034 · Black Variable ID: 1214 · Red Variable ID: 1450
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