Graphing and Analyzing Data

Independent vs. Dependent In an experiment, the variable that YOU change is the Independent Variable The variable that you measure is the Dependent variable EX: We are going to grow bean plants over the next few weeks.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Quantitative – something you observe or measure using numbers – EX: he is 6 ft tall Qualitative – something you observe or measure using descriptions only – Ex:he is tall

Data Tables 5 10 Time (seconds) Distance (meters) Dependent Variable Independent Variable Units Straight lines drawn with a ruler

Or like this…. Distance (meters) Time (seconds) 5 10 Independent Variable Straight lines drawn with a ruler Time (seconds) 5 10 Distance (meters) Units Dependent Variable

Types of Graphs Bar Graph Line Graph Circle Graph Qualitative vs. Quantitative Line Graph Quantitative vs. Quantitative Circle Graph Percentages

When to use… Bar graphs Used to show data that are not continuous. Allows us to compare data like amounts or frequency or categories Allow us to make generalizations about the data Help us see differences in data Line Graphs For continuous data useful for showing trends over time

Rules for Graphing You MUST use graph paper and a ruler!!! The independent variable is on the X-axis The dependent variable is on the y-axis DRY MIX DRY – Dependent, Responding, Y-axis MIX – Manipulated, Independent, X-axis

How to set up successful graphs!

How to set up your graph!

(This is for your dependent variable) How to set up your graph! Y Axis (This is for your dependent variable)

How to set up your graph! X Axis (This is for your independent variable)

TAILS T – Title Should state the independent and dependent variables Teachers’s Favorite Singer T – Title Should state the independent and dependent variables

Y Axis = Dependent Variable X Axis = Independent Variable TAILS Teachers’s Favorite Singer T - Title A – Axis Identify correct axis for variables Y Axis = Dependent Variable X Axis = Independent Variable

Decide on an appropriate scale for each axis. TAILS Teachers’s Favorite Singer Decide on an appropriate scale for each axis. Choose a scale that lets you make the graph as large as possible for your paper and data T - Title A – Axis S – Scale

How to determine scale Scale your graph to take up a majority of your graphing area Scale is determined by your highest & lowest number. Scale would be from 2 – 22. Favorite Singer Number of Teachers Toby Keith 22 Madonna 15 Elvis 11 Sting 5 Sinatra 2

TAILS T – Title A – Axis I – Interval S – Scale Teachers’s Favorite Singer T – Title A – Axis I – Interval S – Scale 25 20 15 10 5

How to determine Intervals Favorite Singer Number of Teachers Toby Keith 22 Madonna 15 Elvis 11 Sting 5 Sinatra 2 The interval is decided by your scale. In this case your scale would be from 2 – 22 and you want the scale to fit the graph. The best interval would be to go by 5’s.

TAILS T – Title A – Axis I – Interval S – Scale Teachers’s Favorite Singer The amount of space between one number and the next or one type of data and the next on the graph. The interval is just as important as the scale Choose an interval that lets you make the graph as large as possible for your paper and data T – Title A – Axis I – Interval S – Scale

LABEL your bars or data points TAILS Teachers’s Favorite Singer T – Title A – Axis I – Interval L – Labels S – Scale 25 20 15 Number of Teachers 10 5 LABEL your bars or data points Toby Keith Madonna Elvis Sting Sinatra Singers Label your Y Axis. What do those numbers mean? Give the bars a general label. What do those words mean?

LABEL your bars or data points TAILS Teachers’s Favorite Singer L – Labels Label the variables on correct axis Include correct units 25 20 15 Number of Teachers 10 5 LABEL your bars or data points Toby Keith Madonna Elvis Sting Sinatra Singers Label your Y Axis. What do those numbers mean? Give the bars a general label. What do those words mean?

TAILS T itle A xis I ntervals L abels S cale