Data Tables & Graphing

What is a data table?

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

Column 1

Column 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)

Number of Hand Closures

0

30

60

90

120

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

Number of Students

Male Female

Black

Brown

Blonde

Red

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 Number of Students Wearing

Tennis shoes

Sandals

Boots

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.

280

58.5

155.9

425

650

198.4

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Mass (g)

Volleyball Tennis ball Baseball Football Basketball Softball

Type of Ball

Ball Masses

Line Graphs• Remember “DRY

MIX”• Dependent or

Responding variable is plotted on the Y-axis.

• Manipulated or Independent variable is plotted on the X-axis.

Greenhouse Temperatures

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Time (h)

Temp

eratur

e (de

gree

s C)

Circle Graphs

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

Rose Garden

Pink36%

Red46%

White18%

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