Track the Trends

Overview

What is a trend? There are many different definitions to answer that question. For this project, we are defining a trend as a regular change in data over time. A change must be statistically noticeable. This change needs to be demonstrated through observation of data and/or indicators.

A trend has to track data between more than two points. You can’t say a population dropping from one year to the next is a trend.

You also can’t pick when you want the trend to start. For example, if you see the crime rate go down for four years, you can’t pick those four years and call it a trend.

You must be careful to make sure you have enough data for a statistical test to say that what you have is a trend.

Some examples of trends that are recognized is the upward and downward swings in the stock market, increase in world population, AIDS rate, rise of sports salaries, and, to a large extent, the gradual warming of the Earth’s surface.
Within this Web site, we will examine many of these trends and answer the following questions:

• What does the past tell us about the future?
• What variables limit or sustain the continuation of a trend?
• How does a trend affect people’s choices?
• What will our quality of life be like in the future?

Read our research on the Overpopulation page.

Please visit our Survey page to give us your opinions on the questions we are asking.

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