GRAPHING BASICS Data Management & Graphing

Types of Graphs After collecting your data, you will need to organize it into a graph. After collecting your data, you will need to organize it into a graph.  There are three types of graphs: Pie/Circle Graph Pie/Circle Graph Bar Graph Bar Graph Line Graph Line Graph

Why Graph? Graphs are an effective way to visually display the information or data collected in an experiment. Graphs are an effective way to visually display the information or data collected in an experiment. Graphs can clearly illustrate a trend in information or data collected. This is one way that data can be analyzed. Graphs can clearly illustrate a trend in information or data collected. This is one way that data can be analyzed. It is important to use the correct type of graph for the type of information or data presented.

Pie/Circle Graph These graphs are usually used when data is comparing parts to a whole (percentage) or when a quantity is broken down These graphs are usually used when data is comparing parts to a whole (percentage) or when a quantity is broken down Example: Example:  How the Milton’s family budget is broken down in a month

Bar Graph Most often used when comparing groups (words) and numbers or numbers that cannot be ordered Most often used when comparing groups (words) and numbers or numbers that cannot be ordered  Example: Comparing the resistance of current passing through different types of metal Comparing the resistance of current passing through different types of metal

Line Graph Most often used to show changes over time or rates of change in something. It is used when you can make a sequential scale with the data being collected. Most often used to show changes over time or rates of change in something. It is used when you can make a sequential scale with the data being collected. Example: Example:  Change in average speed compared to the distance traveled.

Titling a Graph A title for a graph should describe what the experiment was comparing A title for a graph should describe what the experiment was comparing For pie graphs: For pie graphs:  Titles should name the quantity or thing being divided Student Hair Color Student Hair Color For line and bar graphs: For line and bar graphs:  Titles should list the dependent variable vs. the independent variable Temperature vs. Time Temperature vs. Time All titles are placed at the TOP of the graph All titles are placed at the TOP of the graph

Bar & Line Graphs Bar and line graphs are constructed on a set of axes Bar and line graphs are constructed on a set of axes  Y axis runs vertical ( ↑ ) “DRY”  X axis runs horizontal ( → ) “MIX” ( → ) “MIX” These axes must be labeled properly These axes must be labeled properly  The x-axis should be labeled with the independent variable and unit  The y-axis should be labeled with the dependent variable and unit Y-axis X-axis