Presenting Scientific Data August 26 2013 Organizing Data

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

What do graphs tell you? • A graph is a way of expressing a

Variables Every scientific investigation has variables: • Variable: factor that changes in an experiment.

Line Graph • A line graph shows • The independent Y variable is generally

Important Components of a Line Graph 1. Title – tells the viewer what the

Bar Graph • A bar graph is often used to compare a set of

Pie Chart • A circle graph, or pie chart, is a divided circle that

Graphing Review 1. Fill in the following table: TYPE OF GRAPH: USED FOR: 2.

3 -2 -1 Exit Slip List: 3 – questions that you still have about

Slides: 10

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Presenting Scientific Data August 26, 2013

Organizing Data • Scientists can organize their data by using tables and graphs. • Data tables are the simplest way to organize and present your data. • Graphs are diagrams that visually show your data and are more useful than tables for making inferences and estimates.

What do graphs tell you? • A graph is a way of expressing a relationship between two different variables. • There are several types of graphs: – Line Graph – Bar Graph – Circle Graph, or Pie Chart

Variables Every scientific investigation has variables: • Variable: factor that changes in an experiment. • Independent Variable: variable that is manipulated (or changed) in an experiment. • Dependent Variable: variable that is affected by (or responding to) the independent variable. Example: In an experiment where we are looking at the effect of the amount of sunlight on plant growth. Since we are changing the amount of sunlight the plants receive, sunlight is the independent (manipulated) variable. Plant growth responds to sunlight, so it is the dependent (responding) variable.

Line Graph • A line graph shows • The independent Y variable is generally plotted on the horizontal axis, or x-axis. • The dependent variable is plotted on the vertical axis, or y-axis of the graph Degrees in Fahrenheit changes that occur in related variables. Temperatures in New York City X

Important Components of a Line Graph 1. Title – tells the viewer what the graph is about 2. X-axis a) Independent variable b) Evenly spaced units with appropriate scale 3. Y-axis a) Dependent variable b) Evenly spaced units with appropriate scale 4. Data 5. Key – if there is more than one line graph, a key is needed.

Bar Graph • A bar graph is often used to compare a set of measurements, amounts, or changes.

Pie Chart • A circle graph, or pie chart, is a divided circle that shows how a part of something relates to the whole.

Graphing Review 1. Fill in the following table: TYPE OF GRAPH: USED FOR: 2. What is the main thing that graphs show us? 3. Name two things that ANY graph should have.

3 -2 -1 Exit Slip List: 3 – questions that you still have about graphing 2 – things that you have learned about graphing 1 – thing that you will remember about graphing