Data Tables & Graphing

Data Tables & Graphing

What is a data table? • A data table is an organized arrangement of information in labeled rows & columns.

Column Column 1 2

Row 1 Row 2

Why do we use data tables? • In science, we use them to record observations. • They help us interpret information collected in an experiment.

Parts of a Data Table • Title: number, underlined, describes what the data is about. • Table #1 Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth • Box: rows & columns • Headings: above columns or to the left of rows; describes data

Data Table Practice # 1 • Use a RULER!!! • For two minutes open and close your right hand as fast as you can. Have a partner record the amount of closures every 30 seconds until the 2 minutes are up. Repeat for your left hand. (Before you begin, set up your table)

Table #1 Hand Closures Over Time Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120

Number of Hand Closures

Data Table Practice #2 • Record the hair colors by sex of your classmates using black, brown, blonde and red as headings.

Table #2 Hair Color by Sex Hair Color Black Brown Blonde Red

Number of Students Male Female

Data Table Practice #3 • Record the amount of kids wearing tennis shoes, sandals, & boots in your class.

Table #3 Student Shoe Types in Ms. McNease’s Class Shoe Type Tennis shoes Sandals Boots

Number of Students Wearing

What is a graph? • A graph is a pictorial representation of the relationship between two quantities. – Independent variable (manipulated) • Controlled by experimentor – Dependent variable (responding) • Something we observe as the result of the experiment

Graph Types • Bar graphs • Line graphs • Circle Graphs

Bar Graphs

• A bar graph is a diagram in which data about separate but related items are compared. • Place the categories on the horizontal axis. • Place the measurements on the vertical axis.

Ball Masses 700

600

500

650

400

Mass (g) 300

200

425 280 198.4 155.9

100 58.5 0 Volleyball

Tennis ball

Baseball

Football

Type of Ball

Basketball

Softball

Line Graphs Greenhouse Temperatures

Temperature (degrees C)

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Time (h)

• Remember “DRY MIX” • Dependent or Responding variable is plotted on the Y-axis. • Manipulated or Independent variable is plotted on the X-axis.

Circle Graphs • A circle graph shows data as parts of a whole.

Rose Garden

White 18% Red 46% Pink 36%

Graphing Rules • Use GRAPH PAPER!!!!! • Title: number (Graph #1), underlined, describes what data is about. • Draw x-axis horizontally, and y-axis vertically. • Label the x-axis with the independent variable heading and the y-axis with the dependent variable heading.

Graphing Practice • Identify the variables as independent & dependent variables.

Examples • The world population per year – I=year – D=population • Temperature & breathing rate in fish – I=temperature – D=breathing rate

Examples • Height of plants per day – I=day – D=height • The number of minutes animals can hold their breath – I=type of animal – D=number of minutes

Examples • The amount of rain in different environments – I=environment – D=amount of rain • The amount of body fat in different age groups – I=age group – D=amount of body fat

Examples • The grade you make vs. the minutes you study – I=minutes you study – D=grade you make • Heart rate & breathing rate at various temperatures – I=temperature – D=heart rate & breathing rate

The End