Scribd
Upload
8 views

Graphing Data - ID Variables

Uploaded by

DALE WOLFF
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

Graphing Data - ID Variables

Uploaded by

DALE WOLFF
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Graphing and Analyzing Scientific Data

Graphing is an important procedure used by scientist to display the data that is collected during a controlled
experiment. There are three main types of graphs:

Pie/circle graphs: Used to show parts of a whole.

Bar graphs: Used to compare amounts.

Line graphs: Use to show the change of one piece of information as it relates to another change.

Scatter Plot graphs: Use to show a relationship between variables.

Both bar and line graphs have an “X” axis (horizontal) and a “Y” axis (vertical).

Parts of a Graph:
Title: Summarizes information being represented in ANY graph.

Independent Variable: The variable that is controlled by the experimenter, such as, time, dates,
depth, and temperature. This is placed on the X axis.

Dependent Variable: The variable that is directly affected by the I.V. It is the result of what
happens as time, dates, depth and temperature are changed. This is placed on the Y axis.

Scales for each Variable: In constructing a graph, one needs to know where to plot the points
representing the data. In order to do this a scale must be employed to include all the data points. This must
also take up a conservative amount of space. It is not suggested to have a run on scale making the graph
too hard to manage. The scales should start with 0 and climb in intervals such as, multiples of 2, 5, 10, 20,
25, etc…the scale of numbers will be determined by your data values.

Legend: A short descriptive narrative concerning the graph’s data. It should be short and concise
and placed under the graph.

For any set of data, you will need to determine the following:
Mean: This is determined by adding all the numbers in a set of data and then dividing by the
number of values.

Median*: This is the middle number in a set of data. If the there is an even set of numbers in the
data, then take the average of the two middle numbers.
Ex: 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 median = 8
Ex: 3, 5, 8, 11, 17, 19, 27, 30 median is 11 + 17 = 28/2 = 14

Mode*: This is the number that occurs most often in a set of data.
Ex: 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 9,9,9, 12, 12, 15 mode = 9

* To determine median and mode, the numbers in the set of data must be put in numerical order.

Extrapolate: extending the graph, along the same slope, above or below measured data.

Interpolate: predicting data between two measured points on the graph


1. Each month, Juan counted the number of rabbits on his property. Below are the results of his
observations. Make a Scatter Plot Graph for the data using a spreadsheet. Label all parts of the graph
correctly. Past the graph below.

a) what is the independent variable?

b) what is the dependent variable?

Month # of
rabbits
Jan 4
Feb 5
March 4
April 12
May 58
June 72
July 68
August 50
September 56
October 45
November 17
December 7

2. For six days a scientist recorded the growth of bacteria on bread. Graph the following information in
using a spreadsheet. Include the trendline and R2 value. Label graph appropriately.

a) what is the independent variable?

b) what is the dependent variable?

# of Days # of
Bacteria
1 4
2 16
3 40
4 80
5 100
6 200
2a. The scientist then continued the bread mold experiment for 4 more days (a total of 10 days). Now
graphs this data and explain what you think happened to the mold growth after day 6. (You do NOT need a
trendline for this graph)

# of Days # of
Bacteria
1 4
2 16
3 40
4 80
5 100
6 200
7 250
8 100
9 45
10 0

3. One group of students were observed studying different amounts of time over a month. Graph the
following information in a BAR graph. Label the graph appropriately.

a) what is the independent variable?

b) what is the dependent variable?

# of Hours Grade
of Study
0 20
2 60
4 70
6 80
8 90
10 100

What conclusion can be reached from this data?


4. Dr. Flask wanted to see the effect of temperature on three different enzyme’s amounts. Create LINE
graph for each enzyme’s data. Use different colors enzyme’s data and include a Legend (key). Label
the graph appropriately.

Temp Pepsin Lipase Amylase


in oC Amounts Amounts Amounts
in mL in mL in mL
0 0 0 0
20 10 12 15
30 15 18 20
40 20 22 30
50 8 15 20
60 5 10 15
70 0 0 0

You might also like