1. Data Collection and Processing
A Guide to Tables in IB Labs

2. The Purpose of Tables
Tables should be organized so that others can clearly understand the data and realize relationships within the data.
The data must be clearly labeled, ordered, and presented a simply as possible using as few tables as possible.
Raw Data – should be presented with few processed data
Processed Data – pooled/summary data from Raw Data table(s)

3. Table Labels
Heading
Table number - for reference in the body of the report.
Description
briefly identify what the data is
constants used for all trials can be included here
brief notes and explanations may also be included
Table 1. Raw data of the time intervals for the PAScart to travel various
distances down an inclined track. The slope of the incline was
14.6° from the horizontal for all trials.

4. Column Labels All columns should be clearly and concisely labeled
Variable Name, symbol / unit and uncertainty
mass, m / ± 0.5 g
time, t / ± 0.02 s
When there are several trials of the same variable, extend the label over all the columns

5. Ordo ab chao: sorting tables
Tables should be put in logical order according to the independent variable
If there is no order for the independent variable, then sort the data by the results (dependent variable)
Order may be ascending (small large) or descending
be consistent with order for all tables in your report
Independent variable should appear in the first column

6. Table 2. Height and width of left hands for randomly
Table 2. Height and width of left hands for randomly selected males and females in the Science 10i class
Females
Males
height, hf
±0.05 m
hand width, wf
±0.5 cm
height, hm
hand width, wm