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Spurious correlation #3,581 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Maryland and the second variable is Automotive recalls issued by Honda.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

It's a case of cosmic interference - the UFOs were zapping Honda cars with their otherworldly rays, causing all sorts of malfunctions. You could say the UFOs were really revving up the need for those automotive recalls!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate a visually compelling image of a high-tech scene where a fleet of Honda cars is parked at a dealership in Maryland, each with freshly replaced brake systems. Above, a mysterious UFO is seen in the sky, emitting bright, flashing lights and hovering over the cars. The drivers stand outside, pointing up at the UFO in astonishment, while Honda technicians work diligently to reinforce the engines of the vehicles to ensure they are secure against the unexpected stress caused by the cosmic encounter. 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: UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. 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: inspired by bauhaus Parallax art Realistic Cybernetic art High-tech
ChatGPT: High-tech

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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda, in the following situation: Because the increase in UFO sightings in Maryland caused Honda drivers to frantically accelerate and brake to get a better look, leading to unexpected stress on their brakes and engines. The strain on their vehicles prompted Honda to issue recalls to reinforce the affected components, ensuring that their cars could withstand the cosmic excitement without breaking down.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A fleet of Honda cars parked at a dealership in Maryland, each with a shiny, newly replaced brake system. In the sky above, a mysterious UFO is spotted, with bright lights flashing and hovering over the cars. The drivers are standing outside, pointing up at the UFO in awe, while Honda technicians work diligently to reinforce the engines of the vehicles, to ensure they are secure against the unexpected stress caused by the excitement of the cosmic encounter.

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: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: A fleet of Honda cars parked at a dealership in Maryland, each with a shiny, newly replaced brake system. In the sky above, a mysterious UFO is spotted, with bright lights flashing and hovering over the cars. The drivers are standing outside, pointing up at the UFO in awe, while Honda technicians work diligently to reinforce the engines of the vehicles, to ensure they are secure against the unexpected stress caused by the excitement of the cosmic encounter. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate a visually compelling image of a high-tech scene where a fleet of Honda cars is parked at a dealership in Maryland, each with freshly replaced brake systems. Above, a mysterious UFO is seen in the sky, emitting bright, flashing lights and hovering over the cars. The drivers stand outside, pointing up at the UFO in astonishment, while Honda technicians work diligently to reinforce the engines of the vehicles to ensure they are secure against the unexpected stress caused by the cosmic encounter.

*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 increases in UFO sightings in Maryland positively influenced Automotive recalls issued by Honda. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Encounters and Automotive Anomalies

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 dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title an alliteration.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and US DOT to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and p < 0.01 for 1975 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]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls may initially seem as incongruous as a spacecraft in a car park. Nevertheless, the aim of this study is to unveil the potential cosmic connections between these enigmatic events. As we embark on this celestial journey, one can't help but ponder: what do aliens drive? *Extraterrestrials*, of course!

The inspiration for this investigation arose from the peculiar pattern observed in the data, which piqued our scientific curiosity. As we delved into the cryptic realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, it became clear that this investigation was not merely a flight of fancy, but rather a pursuit of otherworldly insights. We aimed to bring forth evidence that would not only astonish and fascinate but also stimulate profound contemplation, much like pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. *Alien encounters sure do keep us on our toes!*

Our research stands at the confluence of two distinct yet intriguing domains – the celestial mysteries of UFO sightings and the vehicular trials of automotive recalls. The statistical analyses conducted in this study serve as our scientific shuttle, propelling us towards a nexus where the orbit of UFO sightings intersects with the trajectory of automotive recalls. *It's a statistical journey of astronomical proportions!*

In this paper, we present our findings from an in-depth investigation spanning from 1975 to 2021, unraveling the intriguing correlations and temporal dynamics between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the issuance of automotive recalls by Honda. *Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a statistical UFO ride!*

The implications of our findings extend beyond the realms of statistics and science, igniting contemplation on the potential influence of extraterrestrial encounters on the terrestrial troubles of automotive engineering. *It's a brain-teaser of cosmic proportions!*


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls may initially seem as incongruous as a spacecraft in a car park. Nevertheless, the aim of this study is to unveil the potential cosmic connections between these enigmatic events. As we embark on this celestial journey, one can't help but ponder: what do aliens drive? *Extraterrestrials*, of course!
The inspiration for this investigation arose from the peculiar pattern observed in the data, which piqued our scientific curiosity. As we delved into the cryptic realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, it became clear that this investigation was not merely a flight of fancy, but rather a pursuit of otherworldly insights. We aimed to bring forth evidence that would not only astonish and fascinate but also stimulate profound contemplation, much like pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. *Alien encounters sure do keep us on our toes!*
Our research stands at the confluence of two distinct yet intriguing domains – the celestial mysteries of UFO sightings and the vehicular trials of automotive recalls. The statistical analyses conducted in this study serve as our scientific shuttle, propelling us towards a nexus where the orbit of UFO sightings intersects with the trajectory of automotive recalls. *It's a statistical journey of astronomical proportions!*
In this paper, we present our findings from an in-depth investigation spanning from 1975 to 2021, unraveling the intriguing correlations and temporal dynamics between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the issuance of automotive recalls by Honda. *Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a statistical UFO ride!*
The implications of our findings extend beyond the realms of statistics and science, igniting contemplation on the potential influence of extraterrestrial encounters on the terrestrial troubles of automotive engineering. *It's a brain-teaser of cosmic proportions!*

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The potential connection between UFO sightings in specific geographic locations and unrelated earthly incidents has garnered increased attention in recent years. Smith, in "Unexplained Phenomena: A Comprehensive Analysis" posits that anomalous sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) may be associated with unforeseen terrestrial events, potentially challenging traditional scientific paradigms and prompting avenues for further investigation. Doe and Jones, in "Alien Encounters and Their Earthly Implications," also underscore the need for rigorous empirical scrutiny into the purported relationships between otherworldly encounters and earthly occurrences.

As we traverse through this mysterious terrain, one cannot help but ponder: why don't aliens eat clowns? *Because they taste funny!* Nevertheless, the complexities of the UFO phenomenon and its potential interactions with human activities warrant a comprehensive exploration.

Drawing from the sphere of non-fiction publications, texts such as "Chariots of the Gods: Unsolved Mysteries of the Past" and "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record" offer intriguing insights into the enigmatic realm of UFO sightings and their potential ramifications on human affairs. Moving into the realm of fiction, the works of Arthur C. Clarke, particularly "Childhood's End" and "Rendezvous with Rama," present imaginative scenarios that stir contemplation on the prospects of extraterrestrial interventions in terrestrial affairs.

From a seemingly unrelated realm, board games such as "UFO: Enemy Unknown" infuse an element of intrigue and speculative interplay between unearthly encounters and human engagements, potentially mirroring the qualitative dimensions of UFO sightings and their purported effects on human endeavors.

The meandering pathways of UFO sightings encounter the automotive domain, particularly in the context of recalls issued by Honda. *It's a match made in the heavenly garage!* The potential linkage between these seemingly disparate phenomena precipitates a perspective that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific inquiry, venturing into the realm of speculative and whimsical contemplations.

As we unravel the intricacies of these peculiar phenomena, the fabric of conventional understanding may be stretched to accommodate the unfathomable interconnections that lie beyond the mundane. *Why don't aliens like to ride in compact cars? Because there's not enough *space*!*


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and US DOT . You used data from 1975 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]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls may initially seem as incongruous as a spacecraft in a car park. Nevertheless, the aim of this study is to unveil the potential cosmic connections between these enigmatic events. As we embark on this celestial journey, one can't help but ponder: what do aliens drive? *Extraterrestrials*, of course!
The inspiration for this investigation arose from the peculiar pattern observed in the data, which piqued our scientific curiosity. As we delved into the cryptic realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, it became clear that this investigation was not merely a flight of fancy, but rather a pursuit of otherworldly insights. We aimed to bring forth evidence that would not only astonish and fascinate but also stimulate profound contemplation, much like pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. *Alien encounters sure do keep us on our toes!*
Our research stands at the confluence of two distinct yet intriguing domains – the celestial mysteries of UFO sightings and the vehicular trials of automotive recalls. The statistical analyses conducted in this study serve as our scientific shuttle, propelling us towards a nexus where the orbit of UFO sightings intersects with the trajectory of automotive recalls. *It's a statistical journey of astronomical proportions!*
In this paper, we present our findings from an in-depth investigation spanning from 1975 to 2021, unraveling the intriguing correlations and temporal dynamics between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the issuance of automotive recalls by Honda. *Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a statistical UFO ride!*
The implications of our findings extend beyond the realms of statistics and science, igniting contemplation on the potential influence of extraterrestrial encounters on the terrestrial troubles of automotive engineering. *It's a brain-teaser of cosmic proportions!*

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The analysis method begins with the compilation of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and automotive recall data from the US Department of Transportation. Our research team deployed advanced web scraping techniques to extract a comprehensive dataset encompassing the time frame from 1975 to 2021. The data acquisition process involved navigating virtual dimensions and traversing through cyber constellations, akin to interstellar information scavengers. *We certainly had our heads in the clouds, or should I say, the stars!*

To ensure the robustness of our analysis, we utilized various statistical measures including correlation analysis, time series analysis, and regression analysis. The statistical analyses acted as our scientific probes, delving into the depths of the data cosmos to unveil patterns and associations that may have otherwise remained obscured. *We certainly needed more than just telescopes for this cosmic investigation!*

Furthermore, in order to account for potential confounding variables and mitigate spurious correlations, we conducted extensive sensitivity analyses, employing techniques such as multivariate regression and control group comparisons. This multifaceted approach fortified the validity of our findings and shielded us from cosmic confounders that may have veiled the true nature of the relationships under scrutiny. *We certainly had to dodge a few meteor showers of confounding factors along the way!*

The temporal dynamics entwined in the relationship between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda were scrutinized using time series analysis, uncovering a phenomena where spikes in UFO sightings often heralded subsequent surges in automotive recalls, and vice versa. The temporal causality was akin to cosmic choreography, orchestrating a celestial dance of automotive afflictions across the Maryland skies. *It's like a cosmic waltz, but with cars and UFOs!*

The statistical significance of our findings was assessed through hypothesis testing, yielding a p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between the variables under investigation. The correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 further corroborated the robustness of the unearthly union between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive afflictions by Honda, prompting us to ponder whether the extraterrestrial realm might be influencing the terrestrial tribulations of automotive engineering. *It appears the universe may indeed have a sense of humor, albeit an otherworldly one!*


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and US DOT .

For the time period 1975 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.7968311, r-squared of 0.6349397, 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]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls may initially seem as incongruous as a spacecraft in a car park. Nevertheless, the aim of this study is to unveil the potential cosmic connections between these enigmatic events. As we embark on this celestial journey, one can't help but ponder: what do aliens drive? *Extraterrestrials*, of course!
The inspiration for this investigation arose from the peculiar pattern observed in the data, which piqued our scientific curiosity. As we delved into the cryptic realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, it became clear that this investigation was not merely a flight of fancy, but rather a pursuit of otherworldly insights. We aimed to bring forth evidence that would not only astonish and fascinate but also stimulate profound contemplation, much like pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. *Alien encounters sure do keep us on our toes!*
Our research stands at the confluence of two distinct yet intriguing domains – the celestial mysteries of UFO sightings and the vehicular trials of automotive recalls. The statistical analyses conducted in this study serve as our scientific shuttle, propelling us towards a nexus where the orbit of UFO sightings intersects with the trajectory of automotive recalls. *It's a statistical journey of astronomical proportions!*
In this paper, we present our findings from an in-depth investigation spanning from 1975 to 2021, unraveling the intriguing correlations and temporal dynamics between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the issuance of automotive recalls by Honda. *Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a statistical UFO ride!*
The implications of our findings extend beyond the realms of statistics and science, igniting contemplation on the potential influence of extraterrestrial encounters on the terrestrial troubles of automotive engineering. *It's a brain-teaser of cosmic proportions!*

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our investigation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. The correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 indicated a strong positive relationship between these two variables. One could say that this unearthly union is truly out of this world.

The r-squared value of 0.6349397 suggested that approximately 63.49% of the variance in automotive recalls issued by Honda could be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Maryland. One might say that the extraterrestrial influence on the automotive industry is not just a UFOlogy, but a statistically significant phenomenon.

Moreover, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicated that the correlation observed was statistically significant. This finding lends support to the notion that there may truly be a cosmic connection between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the vehicular tribulations of a certain Japanese automaker. It seems that the truth is not just out there, but statistically demonstrable as well.

As shown in Figure 1, the scatterplot visually depicts the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. This serves as a compelling visual representation of the intriguing relationship uncovered in our analysis. One might say that this cosmic connection is not just a flight of fancy, but a statistically grounded phenomenon.

This unearthly union prompts us to contemplate the possibility that extraterrestrial forces may indeed be influencing the intricacies of the automotive industry. Perhaps they are fans of Honda's cutting-edge safety features, or maybe they are simply trying to communicate a universal message to our earthly engineers. One could say that this otherworldly influence is driving Honda to new heights.

In summary, our findings not only revealed a strong correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda, but also provoke contemplation on the potential cosmic influence on terrestrial troubles. One might consider this as not just a statistical discovery, but a revelation of truly cosmic proportions.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The potential connection between UFO sightings in specific geographic locations and unrelated earthly incidents has garnered increased attention in recent years. Smith, in "Unexplained Phenomena: A Comprehensive Analysis" posits that anomalous sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) may be associated with unforeseen terrestrial events, potentially challenging traditional scientific paradigms and prompting avenues for further investigation. Doe and Jones, in "Alien Encounters and Their Earthly Implications," also underscore the need for rigorous empirical scrutiny into the purported relationships between otherworldly encounters and earthly occurrences.
As we traverse through this mysterious terrain, one cannot help but ponder: why don't aliens eat clowns? *Because they taste funny!* Nevertheless, the complexities of the UFO phenomenon and its potential interactions with human activities warrant a comprehensive exploration.
Drawing from the sphere of non-fiction publications, texts such as "Chariots of the Gods: Unsolved Mysteries of the Past" and "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record" offer intriguing insights into the enigmatic realm of UFO sightings and their potential ramifications on human affairs. Moving into the realm of fiction, the works of Arthur C. Clarke, particularly "Childhood's End" and "Rendezvous with Rama," present imaginative scenarios that stir contemplation on the prospects of extraterrestrial interventions in terrestrial affairs.
From a seemingly unrelated realm, board games such as "UFO: Enemy Unknown" infuse an element of intrigue and speculative interplay between unearthly encounters and human engagements, potentially mirroring the qualitative dimensions of UFO sightings and their purported effects on human endeavors.
The meandering pathways of UFO sightings encounter the automotive domain, particularly in the context of recalls issued by Honda. *It's a match made in the heavenly garage!* The potential linkage between these seemingly disparate phenomena precipitates a perspective that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific inquiry, venturing into the realm of speculative and whimsical contemplations.
As we unravel the intricacies of these peculiar phenomena, the fabric of conventional understanding may be stretched to accommodate the unfathomable interconnections that lie beyond the mundane. *Why don't aliens like to ride in compact cars? Because there's not enough *space*!*

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. The correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 indicated a strong positive relationship between these two variables. One could say that this unearthly union is truly out of this world.
The r-squared value of 0.6349397 suggested that approximately 63.49% of the variance in automotive recalls issued by Honda could be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Maryland. One might say that the extraterrestrial influence on the automotive industry is not just a UFOlogy, but a statistically significant phenomenon.
Moreover, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicated that the correlation observed was statistically significant. This finding lends support to the notion that there may truly be a cosmic connection between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the vehicular tribulations of a certain Japanese automaker. It seems that the truth is not just out there, but statistically demonstrable as well.
As shown in Figure 1, the scatterplot visually depicts the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. This serves as a compelling visual representation of the intriguing relationship uncovered in our analysis. One might say that this cosmic connection is not just a flight of fancy, but a statistically grounded phenomenon.
This unearthly union prompts us to contemplate the possibility that extraterrestrial forces may indeed be influencing the intricacies of the automotive industry. Perhaps they are fans of Honda's cutting-edge safety features, or maybe they are simply trying to communicate a universal message to our earthly engineers. One could say that this otherworldly influence is driving Honda to new heights.
In summary, our findings not only revealed a strong correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda, but also provoke contemplation on the potential cosmic influence on terrestrial troubles. One might consider this as not just a statistical discovery, but a revelation of truly cosmic proportions.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of our study corroborate and extend prior research, shedding light on the heretofore unexplored intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls. The remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda aligns with the insights put forth by Smith in "Unexplained Phenomena." Smith suggests that UFO sightings may be intertwined with unforeseen terrestrial events, and our results lend empirical support to this notion. It seems that the extraterrestrial gaze may truly be fixed upon the earthly realm of automotive engineering.

Our study also resonates with the cautious call for empirical scrutiny made by Doe and Jones in "Alien Encounters and Their Earthly Implications." The statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 in our analysis not only bolsters their case for rigorous empirical assessment but also provides compelling evidence that a concealed connection exists between celestial encounters and terrestrial tribulations, particularly in the realm of automotive safety.

As we traverse through this otherworldly amalgamation of celestial sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: What do you call a Ford that has passed a UFO? An unidentified driven object!

The intriguing temporal pattern we observed, wherein spikes in UFO sightings in Maryland appeared to precede surges in automotive recalls issued by Honda, mirrors the enigmatic interplay between otherworldly encounters and earthly events. The notion put forth by Clarke in "Childhood's End" regarding extraterrestrial interventions in terrestrial affairs finds an unexpected parallel in our findings, beckoning us to contemplate the prospect of interstellar influences on the intricacies of the automotive industry.

Our results align not only with the realm of empirical literature but also draw inspiration from speculative fiction and games that probe the intersection of unearthly encounters and human engagements. The unexpected connection we uncovered between UFO sightings and automotive recalls may very well transcend the boundaries of conventional scientific inquiry and venture into the realm of speculative and whimsical contemplations. This unearthly union is truly a match made in the heavenly garage, echoing the speculative dimensions of imaginative contemplations in science fiction.

The statistically significant correlation uncovered in our analysis prompts us to consider the possibility that otherworldly forces may indeed be exerting influence on the automotive industry. Perhaps, as we ponder the mysteries of the cosmic abyss, the aliens are merely trying to convey a universal message to our earthly engineers. One could say that this unearthly union is not just a flight of fancy but a statistically grounded phenomenon, propelling us into uncharted realms of exploration in both celestial and terrestrial domains.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 UFO sightings in Maryland and Automotive recalls issued by Honda. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.

Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.

As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of UFO sightings and automotive recalls may initially seem as incongruous as a spacecraft in a car park. Nevertheless, the aim of this study is to unveil the potential cosmic connections between these enigmatic events. As we embark on this celestial journey, one can't help but ponder: what do aliens drive? *Extraterrestrials*, of course!
The inspiration for this investigation arose from the peculiar pattern observed in the data, which piqued our scientific curiosity. As we delved into the cryptic realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, it became clear that this investigation was not merely a flight of fancy, but rather a pursuit of otherworldly insights. We aimed to bring forth evidence that would not only astonish and fascinate but also stimulate profound contemplation, much like pondering the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. *Alien encounters sure do keep us on our toes!*
Our research stands at the confluence of two distinct yet intriguing domains – the celestial mysteries of UFO sightings and the vehicular trials of automotive recalls. The statistical analyses conducted in this study serve as our scientific shuttle, propelling us towards a nexus where the orbit of UFO sightings intersects with the trajectory of automotive recalls. *It's a statistical journey of astronomical proportions!*
In this paper, we present our findings from an in-depth investigation spanning from 1975 to 2021, unraveling the intriguing correlations and temporal dynamics between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the issuance of automotive recalls by Honda. *Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a statistical UFO ride!*
The implications of our findings extend beyond the realms of statistics and science, igniting contemplation on the potential influence of extraterrestrial encounters on the terrestrial troubles of automotive engineering. *It's a brain-teaser of cosmic proportions!*

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. The correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 indicated a strong positive relationship between these two variables. One could say that this unearthly union is truly out of this world.
The r-squared value of 0.6349397 suggested that approximately 63.49% of the variance in automotive recalls issued by Honda could be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Maryland. One might say that the extraterrestrial influence on the automotive industry is not just a UFOlogy, but a statistically significant phenomenon.
Moreover, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicated that the correlation observed was statistically significant. This finding lends support to the notion that there may truly be a cosmic connection between sightings of unidentified flying objects and the vehicular tribulations of a certain Japanese automaker. It seems that the truth is not just out there, but statistically demonstrable as well.
As shown in Figure 1, the scatterplot visually depicts the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. This serves as a compelling visual representation of the intriguing relationship uncovered in our analysis. One might say that this cosmic connection is not just a flight of fancy, but a statistically grounded phenomenon.
This unearthly union prompts us to contemplate the possibility that extraterrestrial forces may indeed be influencing the intricacies of the automotive industry. Perhaps they are fans of Honda's cutting-edge safety features, or maybe they are simply trying to communicate a universal message to our earthly engineers. One could say that this otherworldly influence is driving Honda to new heights.
In summary, our findings not only revealed a strong correlation between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda, but also provoke contemplation on the potential cosmic influence on terrestrial troubles. One might consider this as not just a statistical discovery, but a revelation of truly cosmic proportions.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our investigation has shed light on the perplexing connection between UFO sightings in Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. The strong correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 has unveiled a tantalizing link that is truly out of this world. It seems that when it comes to the automotive industry, there may be more at play than meets the earthly eye. *It's like the Honda engineers have been receiving extraterrestrial "recall" signals!*

The r-squared value of 0.6349397 suggests that approximately 63.49% of the variance in automotive recalls issued by Honda can be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Maryland. This otherworldly influence is not just statistically significant, but also statistically *extraterrestrial*!

Furthermore, the visually depicted scatterplot in Figure 1 is a compelling portrayal of this unearthly union, making it clear that this cosmic connection is not just a flight of fancy, but a statistically grounded phenomenon. It's a statistical *galactic* alliance!

Our results raise profound questions about the potential cosmic influence on terrestrial troubles. Are aliens guiding Honda's engineering, or are they just trying to communicate their *alien*-grievances with our earthly vehicles? *Maybe they just want us to take them to their leader...*

In light of these findings, it can be concluded that no further research is necessary in this area. Our investigation has unveiled a statistically significant otherworldly connection that is truly out of this world - a *conclusive cosmic collusion*, if you will.

*It's time to trade our lab coats for spacesuits and prepare for the statistically significant journey to outer space!*


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 Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Encounters and Automotive Anomalies


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 Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Intergalactic Research Consortium


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 Uncovering Unearthly Unions: UFO Sightings in Maryland and Automotive Afflictions by Honda with an abstract of This study aimed to investigate the potential linkage between UFO sightings in the state of Maryland and automotive recalls issued by Honda. Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Department of Transportation, we conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1975 to 2021. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7968311 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicative of a strong association between these seemingly disparate occurrences.
Furthermore, our research uncovered a peculiar pattern suggesting a temporal relationship, wherein a spike in UFO sightings in Maryland was frequently followed by an increase in automotive recalls by Honda, and vice versa. Our results provoke a novel perspective on the interplay between celestial encounters and terrestrial transportation tribulations, prompting us to ponder whether extraterrestrial forces may be influencing the automotive industry.
As we delve into the mystifying realm of UFO sightings and automotive recalls, one cannot help but ponder: are aliens trying to send a message to our Earthly automotive engineers, or are they simply fans of Honda's out-of-this-world safety features?

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Maryland, automotive recalls, Honda, correlation analysis, National UFO Reporting Center, US Department of Transportation, temporal relationship, statistical significance, celestial encounters, terrestrial transportation, extraterrestrial influence, automotive industry, aliens, safety features.

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



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Data details

UFO sightings in Maryland
Detailed data title: UFO sightings reported in Maryland
Source: National UFO Reporting Center
See what else correlates with UFO sightings in Maryland

Automotive recalls issued by Honda
Detailed data title: Automotive recals issued by Honda
Source: US DOT
See what else correlates with Automotive recalls issued by Honda

Correlation r = 0.7968311 (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 = 0.6349397 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 63.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Automotive recalls issued by Honda) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Maryland) over the 47 years from 1975 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.09E-11. 0.0000000000208733316314079100
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 0.8 in 2.09E-9% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 47,908,020,514 random variables You don't actually need 47 billion 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 46 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 46 because we have two variables measured over a period of 47 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.

[ 0.66, 0.88 ] 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.
19751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
UFO sightings in Maryland (UFO sightings)8281531101131258237387111430253649354041314363435070107112144111899250626824
Automotive recalls issued by Honda (Recalls)1033401145123433333236649812117201331374141616151521181723221813




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. Outlandish outliers: There are "outliers" in this data. In concept, "outlier" just means "way different than the rest of your dataset." When calculating a correlation like this, they are particularly impactful because a single outlier can substantially increase your correlation.

    For the purposes of this project, I counted a point as an outlier if it the residual was two standard deviations from the mean.

    (This bullet point only shows up in the details page on charts that do, in fact, have outliers.)
    They stand out on the scatterplot above: notice the dots that are far away from any other dots. I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.




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([8,2,8,1,5,3,1,1,0,1,1,3,1,2,5,8,2,3,7,3,8,7,11,14,30,25,36,49,35,40,41,31,43,63,43,50,70,107,112,144,111,89,92,50,62,68,24,])
array_2 = np.array([1,0,3,3,4,0,1,1,4,5,1,2,3,4,3,3,3,3,3,2,3,6,6,4,9,8,12,11,7,20,13,3,13,7,4,14,16,16,15,15,21,18,17,23,22,18,13,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Maryland"
array_2_name = "Automotive recalls issued by Honda"

# 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: 3581 · Black Variable ID: 1172 · Red Variable ID: 1123
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