1. Notes: Organizing Data pg.4-5
I. Tables: used to arrange data in a way that makes it easier for you to compare all the information. The table itself is divided into columns and rows.
Columns have a title that describes what is listed in that column.
Each row of items being compared in the table has a heading that describes specific characteristics.

2. Example: Biologists studying a plot of plant in a hardwood forest.
Table 1 summarizes the biologist’s findings.
In Table 2, reorganize the same data to show information in descending order (highest to lowest).

3. Table 1: Wisconsin Hardwood Trees
Type of Tree
Number Found
Percentage of Total
Oak
539 17
Maple
758 24
Beech
319 10
Birch
1327 42
Hickory
222 7
Total
3165
100

4. Table 2: Wisconsin Hardwood Trees
Type of Tree
Number Found
Percentage of Total
Birch
1327 42
Maple
758 24
Oak
539 17
Beech
319 10
Hickory
222 7
Total
3165
100

5. II. Graphing
After scientists organize data in tables, they often then display the data in a graphic format (labeled as a figure). Graphs can be powerful tools for examining cycles and trends. The three main types are circle graphs, line graphs and bar graphs.

6. A. Circle Graph- sometimes called a pie chart, shows different parts of the data in relation to all of the data. Each section of the circle represents a different part of the data.
All sections equal 100 % when placed together.

7. The data from Table 1 and 2 were used to construct the following circle graph:

8. Important Characteristics of a circle graph:
1. The pie sections of accurately drawn.
2. The sections are clearly labeled.
3. Labels, colors or shading are used to represent the different sections of the circle.

9. B. Line Graph- shows the relationship between two variables.
Independent Variable- placed on the x-axis (horizontal axis)
Dependent Variable- placed on the y-axis. (vertical axis)
Key- must be used if you want to compare two or more sets of data, multiple lines. This distinguishes one set of data from the other.
Title- tells what the graph is about and should be a concise statement.
Units- the scale on both the x and y-axis usually begin with zero (some exceptions include time/dates)
Values must increase by equal spacing and the same numeric interval.

10. (i.e. every box on the x-axis is the same size and increases in multiples of On the y-axis, the boxes increase by 50 and are the same size.)

11. C. Bar Graph- similar to a line graph
C. Bar Graph- similar to a line graph. It is used to show comparisons among data or to display data that do not continuously change.
X and Y-axis are set up the same as the line graph.
Data is plotted by drawing thick bars from the x-axis up to an imaginary point where the y-axis would intersect if the bar were extended.

12. To the right is an example of a bar graph showing the precipitation in Hartford, Conn. during the first half of April 1996)