1. Organizing Data
How do scientists organize data?

2. Organizing Data
Scientists can organize their data by using data tables and graphs.

3. Organizing Data Data Tables
The simplest way to organize data is to present them in a table. This table relates two variables—an independent/manipulated variable (location) and a dependent/responding variable (average annual precipitation).

4. Organizing Data
Line Graphs
A line graph is useful for showing changes that occur in related variables.
In a line graph, the independent/manipulated variable is generally plotted on the horizontal axis, or x-axis.
The dependent/responding variable is plotted on the vertical axis, or y-axis, of the graph.

5. Sometimes the data points in a graph yield a straight line.
Organizing Data
Sometimes the data points in a graph yield a straight line.
The steepness, or slope, of this line is the ratio of a vertical change to the corresponding horizontal change.
The formula for the slope of the line is

6. Organizing Data
A direct proportion is a relationship in which the ratio of two variables is constant.
When one thing changes, another thing changes in the same way.

7. Organizing Data
An inverse proportion is a relationship in which the product of two variables is a constant.
When one thing changes, another thing changes in the opposite way.

8. Organizing Data
Bar Graphs
A bar graph is often used to compare a set of measurements, amounts, or changes.

9. Organizing Data Circle Graphs
A circle graph shows how a part or share of something relates to the whole.

10. Communicating Data
How can scientists communicate experimental data?

11. Communicating Data
Scientists can communicate results by writing in scientific journals or speaking at conferences.

12. Communicating Data
Scientists also exchange information through conversations, s, and Web sites. Young scientists often present their research at science fairs.

13. Communicating Data
Peer review is a process in which scientists examine other scientists’ work.
Peer review encourages comments, suggestions, questions, and criticism from other scientists.
Based on their peers’ responses, the scientists who submitted their work for review can then reevaluate how to best interpret their data.

14. Communicating Data with Numbers
The numbers that scientists report while collecting data can either be very large or very small.
In order to express these numbers they use a method known as scientific notation.
Scientific notation – a way of expressing a value as the product of a number between one and ten and a power of ten.

15. Measurements used in Science
3 types of measurements that scientists use are:
Length – the straight line distance between two objects.
Mass – the quantity of matter in a object or sample.
Volume – the amount of space take up by an object.

16. Measurements in Science
Scientists will need to convert between the various units in science.
In order to do this they need a conversion factor
Conversion factor – a ratio of equivalent measurements that is used to convert a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit.

17. How good are measurements?
Measurements will be of no use unless they are accurate and precise.
Precision – a gauge of how exact a measurement is.
Accuracy – the closeness of a measurement to the actual value of what is being measured.

18. Significant Figures
Not all of the numbers that are in a measurement need to be expressed.
Significant figures – all the digits that are known in a measurement, plus the last digit that is estimated.

19. Assessment Questions
Which type of graph is most useful for showing how part of something relates to the whole?
bar
circle
column
line

20. Assessment Questions
Which type of graph is most useful for showing how part of something relates to the whole?
bar
circle
column
line ANS: B

21. Assessment Questions
How does a line graph generally show the relationship between the manipulated variable and the responding variable?
The manipulated variable is plotted on the x-axis, and the responding variable is plotted on the y-axis.
The responding variable is plotted on the x-axis, and the manipulated variable is plotted on the y-axis.
The manipulated variable is plotted on the graph, and the responding variable is shown by the slope.
The responding variable is plotted on the graph, and the manipulated variable is shown by the slope.

22. Assessment Questions
How does a line graph generally show the relationship between the manipulated variable and the responding variable?
The manipulated variable is plotted on the x-axis, and the responding variable is plotted on the y-axis.
The responding variable is plotted on the x-axis, and the manipulated variable is plotted on the y-axis.
The manipulated variable is plotted on the graph, and the responding variable is shown by the slope.
The responding variable is plotted on the graph, and the manipulated variable is shown by the slope. ANS: A

23. Assessment Questions
How do scientists communicate the results of scientific investigations?
by writing in scientific journals or speaking at conferences
using secret code
only through
by writing in literary journals

24. Assessment Questions
How do scientists communicate the results of scientific investigations?
by writing in scientific journals or speaking at conferences
using secret code
only through
by writing in literary journals ANS: A

25. Why is peer review an important part of the scientific process?
Assessment Questions
Why is peer review an important part of the scientific process?
Peer review makes sure that the correct researcher gets credit for discoveries.
Peer review helps identify errors or bias in research.
Peer review is the system used to report information to other scientists.
Peer review helps other scientists form theories about a discovery.

26. Why is peer review an important part of the scientific process?
Assessment Questions
Why is peer review an important part of the scientific process?
Peer review makes sure that the correct researcher gets credit for discoveries.
Peer review helps identify errors or bias in research.
Peer review is the system used to report information to other scientists.
Peer review helps other scientists form theories about a discovery. ANS: B