Data Tables & Graphing

What is a data table? A data table is an organized arrangement of information in labeled rows & columns. Column 1 Column 2 Row 1 Row 2

Why do we use data tables? In science, we use them to record observations. They help us interpret information collected in an experiment.

Parts of a Data Table Title: number, underlined, describes what the data is about. Table #1 Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Box: rows & columns Headings: above columns or to the left of rows; describes data

Data Table Practice # 1 For two minutes open and close your right hand as fast as you can. Have a partner record the amount of closures every 30 seconds until the 2 minutes are up. Repeat for your left hand. (Before you begin, set up your table)

Table #1 Hand Closures Over Time Number of Hand Closures 30 60 90 120

Data Table Practice #2 Record the hair colors by gender of your classmates using black, brown, blonde and red as headings.

Table #2 Hair Color by Gender Number of Students Male Female Black Brown Blonde Red

Data Table Practice #3 Record the amount of kids wearing tennis shoes, sandals, boots & other types of shoes in your class.

Table #3 Student Shoe Types in Ms. Hammon’s Class Number of Students Wearing Tennis shoes Sandals Boots Other

What is a graph? A graph is a pictorial representation of the relationship between two quantities. Independent variable (manipulated) Controlled by experimentor Dependent variable (responding) Something we observe as the result of the experiment

Graph Types Bar graphs Line graphs Circle Graphs

Bar Graphs A bar graph is a diagram in which data about separate but related items are compared. Place the categories on the horizontal axis. Place the measurements on the vertical axis.

Month # of deer Sept 38 Oct 32 Nov 26 Dec 20 Jan 15 Feb 12 Graph the following information in a BAR graph. Label and number the x and y-axis appropriately. Month # of deer Sept 38 Oct 32 Nov 26 Dec 20 Jan 15 Feb 12 1. What is the independent variable? 2. What is the dependent variable? 3. What is an appropriate title? 4. What is the average number of deer per month?

Line Graphs Remember “DRY MIX” Dependent or Responding variable is plotted on the Y-axis. Manipulated or Independent variable is plotted on the X-axis.

Graph the following information in a LINE graph Graph the following information in a LINE graph. Label and number the x and y-axis appropriately. # of Days # of Bacteria 1 4 2 16 3 40 80 5 100 6 200 1. What is the independent variable? 2. What is the dependent variable? 3. What is an appropriate title?

Circle Graphs A circle graph shows data as parts of a whole.

Graphing Practice Identify the variables as independent & dependent variables.

Examples The world population per year I=year D=population Temperature & breathing rate in fish I=temperature D=breathing rate

Examples Height of plants per day I=day D=height The number of minutes animals can hold their breath I=type of animal D=number of minutes

Examples The amount of rain in different environments I=environment D=amount of rain The amount of body fat in different age groups I=age group D=amount of body fat

Examples The grade you make vs. the minutes you study I=minutes you study D=grade you make Heart rate & breathing rate at various temperatures I=temperature D=heart rate & breathing rate

The End