The Journal of Hilarity Studies (2024) 37, 51-63

Available online at www.tylervigen.com

ELSERVER: Historical Histories: A Hilarious Hodgepodge ofAssociates degrees and Centene's Stock Price
Catherine Hernandez, Addison Travis, Gavin P Tyler
Center for Research; Cambridge, Massachusetts

Abstract: The research at hand seeks to unravel the perplexing relationship between the number of Associates
degrees awarded in History and Centene's stock price. Utilizing data from the National Center for
Education Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), this study unveils a correlation coefficient of0.9884005 and p < 0.01 for the time period spanning 2011 to 2021. The findings, while initially
unexpected, draw attention to the potential influence of historical knowledge on stock market trends,stirring up a mix of mirth and skepticism among academics and investors alike. This paper aims to shedlight on this peculiar correlation, blending the seriousness of econometric analysis with a dash of whimsy
and a smattering of historical humor. Let's explore this intriguing interplay between the annals ofacademia and the fluctuations of financial fortune with due diligence and just a touch of jest.
Copyleft 2024 Center for Research. No rights reserved.

1. Introduction
As the saying goes, "History repeatsitself." But who would have thought that therepetition of history could have a direct
correlation with the fluctuations in stock
prices? This paper delves into theseemingly whimsical yet surprisingly robust
relationship between the number of
Associates degrees awarded in History andCentene'sstock
price.
The
mere
juxtaposition of academia and finance mightseem as unusual as trying to determine thecorrelation between the number of pencils ina classroom and the price of oil - which, bythe way, might also be an interesting
research idea for another day.
The divide between the world ofhistorical narratives and the world offinancial markets has traditionally been as
wide as the Grand Canyon, with the former
filled with tales, anecdotes, and, of course,questionable accounts of accuracy, and thelatter swirling with numbers, graphs, and theoccasional Wall Street quip. However, thispaper aims to bridge this chasm,
challenging the conventional wisdom andraising eyebrows in the academic andprofessional spheres.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchWe begin this inquiry by diving headfirst
into the abyss of statistical analysis, armed
with our trusty cohort of p-values,
regression coefficients, and confidenceintervals. However, fear not - we promise tokeep this statistical expedition as light andbreezy as a summer read, with theoccasional quip and jest to keep both thereader and the researcher entertained.
The dataset at the heart of thisinvestigation was sourced from the NationalCenter for Education Statistics and LSEG
Analytics (Refinitiv), providing us with aplethora of data on the number of
Associates degrees awarded in History andCentene's stock price across the years 2011
to 2021. We let the numbers tell their stories
and gradually uncovered a rather startlingcorrelation coefficient of 0.9884005, with ap-value that is not just statistically significant
but practically shouting for attention at p <0.01. This astonishing revelation prompted
us to hold a mirror to the enigmatic
relationship between historical educationand the ebb and flow of stock prices. It goes
without saying that this correlation is as
unexpected as finding hidden treasure in ahistory textbook - a delightful surprise
indeed.

2. Literature Review
The search for the elusive link between
Associates degrees awarded in History andCentene's stock price has led us down awinding path of academic research,
economic analysis, and a touch of whimsy.
We begin our literature review by delving
into the serious realm of scholarly articles,
starting with Smith's "The Influence ofAcademic Disciplines on Stock Market
Trends," where the authors find arelationship between historical educationand stock market performance. Similarly,
Doe's "Historical Perspectives on Financial
Markets" offers insights into the potential
impactofhistoricalknowledgeoninvestment behavior, setting the stage forour investigation.
Moving onto non-fiction works, Jones' "TheRole of History in Economic Forecasting"provides a thoughtful exploration of how
historical narratives shape economic
predictions, perhaps hinting at theunderlying mechanisms of our observed
correlation. Additionally, "The History ofCapitalism" by Dasgupta offers a broader
historical context by examining theintersection of economic forces andhistorical events, giving rise to intriguing
speculations about the intertwined fates ofhistorical education and market dynamics.
Transitioning to fictional works, "The BlackSwan" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, though
not directly related to historical education,
reminds us of the unpredictable nature offinancial markets, much like the surprisingcorrelation we have uncovered. Similarly,"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by
Douglas Adams, while predominantly a workof science fiction, playfully prompts us toquestion the nature of causation andcorrelation in our scholarly pursuit, evenacross the vast expanse of the universe.
As we descend further down the rabbit holeof literature review, we must acknowledge
the unconventional sources that haveshaped our understanding of this peculiar
correlation. While perusing the haphazard
miscellany of wisdom found in the margins
of ancient scrolls and the cryptic musings ofeccentric scholars, a revelation struck us the hidden truths of academia and financeare as mysterious and convoluted as
deciphering the gibberish printed on theback of a CVS receipt. With this newfoundunderstanding, we approach our analysis
with a healthy dose of skepticism and asprinkle of humor, aiming to unravel theenigma of historical histories with a twinkle
in our eye and a quip on our lips.

3. Our approach & methods

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchTo unearth the connection between
Associates degrees in History andCentene's stock price, our research teamdelved into a myriad of data sources,
embracing a treacherous journey throughthe labyrinth of statistical analysis andeconometric wizardry. Armed with our trusty
calculators and a penchant for uncovering
hidden correlations, we embarked on a
mission as audacious as discovering thelost city of Atlantis.
Firstly, we scoured the untamed wildernessof the internet, deploying advanced searchalgorithms akin to a band of intrepid
explorers navigating uncharted territory. We
combed through the hallowed archives of
the National Center for Education Statistics,
mining data on the conferral of Associatesdegrees in History. This endeavor required
a keen eye for detail and the resilience of aseasoned treasure hunter, as historical data
can often be as elusive as a well-told ghoststory.
Simultaneously, we harnessed the datagathering prowess of LSEG Analytics(Refinitiv), harnessing their robust platformto acquire historical stock prices for theenigmatic Centene Corporation. Just like aconnoisseur of fine wines carefully selecting
the choicest grapes, we meticulously
gathered and curated our dataset, ensuringthat no stray decimal point or misplacedcomma could dampen our statistical spirits.
Having corralled this veritable menagerie ofdata, we subjected them to a rigorous
battery of statistical tests that rival thecomplexity of deciphering a cryptic ancientscript. Our analysis journeyed through thedense jungles of correlation coefficients,
danced amongst the scattered embers of pvalues, and peeked into the labyrinthinetunnels of regression models. Yet, amidst
this scholarly expedition, we did not forgetto sprinkle in the occasional statistical pun
or dabble in a bit of witty wordplay to keep
the mood light and the atmosphere jovial.

Upon conducting our analysis, weuncovered a correlation coefficient of0.9884005, akin to stumbling upon a hidden
treasure chest of statistical significance.
With a p-value boasting the seductive allureof p < 0.01, we couldn't help but marvel at
the serendipitous nature of our findings. Our
discovery was as unexpected as apunchline in a history lecture, fueling ourcuriosity and compelling us to shine a
probing light into the mysterious interplay
between degrees in History and thecapricious tides of stock prices.
In summary, our methodological approach
involved a harmonious blend of meticulous
data collection, rigorous statistical analysis,
and just a dash of scholarly jest. This
modus operandi allowed us to unravel thetantalizing relationship between historicaleducation and the capricious dance of stock
prices, culminating in a discovery that is as
captivating as it is quizzical.

4. Results
The statistical analysis of the data collected
revealed a strikingly high correlation
coefficient of 0.9884005 between thenumber of Associates degrees awarded inHistory and Centene's stock price for theperiod 2011 to 2021. The r-squared value of0.9769356 signifies that a whopping 97.69%
of the variance in Centene's stock price canbe explained by the number of these
historical degrees. Now, that's a tighterbond than the double helix of a DNA
molecule!
If we were to translate this into layman'sterms, it means that the movement ofCentene's stock price has shown an almost
uncanny synchronization with the fluctuationin the number of Associates degrees inHistory. In simpler words, it's as if the stock
market is, metaphorically speaking, sitting inon a history lecture and taking notes clearly demonstrating a keen interest in
historical events and narratives.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

The p-value of less than 0.01 further
accentuates the significance of thisrelationship. The probability of observing
such a strong correlation purely by chanceis slim pickings, akin to stumbling across afour-leaf clover in a field of statistics.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

To visually encapsulate this astoundinglystrong correlation, the scatterplot depicted
in Figure 1 showcases a near-perfect linear
relationship between the number of
Associates degrees awarded in History andCentene's stock price. It's a match made instatistical heaven, akin to finding themissing puzzle piece in a sea of data points.
In summary, the results of this investigation
thrust the connection between historicaleducation and stock market performance
into the spotlight, prompting a heartychuckle from the realm of academia andfinance. This unlikely bond between theannals of history and the hustle and bustleof the stock market raises eyebrows andelicits a grin, serving as a reminder that in
the world of research, sometimes truth isindeed stranger than fiction.

5. Discussion
In this study, we unearthed a striking
correlation between the number of
Associates degrees awarded in History andCentene's stock price, shedding light on apeculiar connection that tickles the fancy ofboth academia and finance. Our results not
only affirm the findings of prior research byscholars such as Smith and Doe, but also
lend unparalleled support to the notion ofhistorical knowledge shaping market
dynamics. It appears that the market is not
immune to the allure of historical narratives,
as if charting a course through the stock
market seas is akin to navigating the highseas of history with an astrolabe in one
hand and a stock ticker in the other.
The strong correlation coefficient of
0.9884005 and the near-perfect linear
relationship portrayed in our scatterplot
illustrate a bond tighter than the grip of astatistician
clinging
onto
theirnull
hypothesis. The r-squared value of
0.9769356 further reinforces the notion that
historical education holds a staggering
influence over 97.69% of the variance inCentene's stock price, painting a picture ofhistorical knowledge wielding substantial
sway in the realm of financial fortune. It's astatistical tango between history and stock
price, the kind of dance that leaves
statistical outliers green with envy.
This peculiar correlation, with a p-value ofless than 0.01, serves as a statistical odditythat elicits a chuckle from the sober world ofacademic research, much like finding aunicorn in a forest of regression analyses. Itbeckons us to contemplate the threads ofcausation
woven
betweenhistoricaleducationandmarketmovements,
provoking a bemused furrow of the browfrom even the most seasoned ofeconometricians.
Our findings embody the quintessence of
unexpected research discoveries, akin to
stumbling upon a treasure trove of statisticalsignificance in an unassuming dataset. As
we continue to unravel the enigmatic bond
between historical histories and stock
market whimsy, we are reminded that in thelabyrinth of research, even the mostThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchwhimsical connections can bear the fruit ofempirical truth.
Stay tuned for the next adventure instatistical comedy and financial folly as wetraverse the bumpy landscape of academia
and finance, armed with nothing but ourwits, our data, and maybe just a pinch oflevity.

academia and finance. The story has been
told, the punchline delivered, and it's time toclose this chapter – pun intended!

6. Conclusion
In conclusion, our findings haveunraveled a correlation between the numberof Associates degrees awarded in History
and Centene's stock price that is as tight asa well-knitted sweater – providing an
unexpected twist to the world of economic
research. This peculiar connection between
the realm of historical knowledge and thedynamics of the stock market has raised
more than a few eyebrows, prompting botha chuckle and a contemplative stroke of thechin among the academic and investor
communities.
The statistical analysis has shown usthat the movement of Centene's stock priceappears to be more entwined with thewaxing and waning of historical educationthan one might expect – an unexpectedly
fascinating waltz of numbers and narratives.
It's almost as if the stock market hasdeveloped a fondness for antiquity,choosing to mirror the rise and fall ofhistorical degrees with its own undulating
patterns. It's a relationship that's as unlikely
as finding a pearl in an oyster – a rare andbeautiful revelation amidst a sea of data.
However, while this delightful correlation
may have sparked a few grins and raised acouple of eyebrows, it seems that theconnection between Associates degrees inHistory and Centene's stock price has beenthoroughly unearthed, much like a hidden
treasure chest in a historical narrative. As
such, it appears that there is no need to dig
deeper into this particular intersection ofThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research