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Graphing

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21 views5 pages

Graphing

Uploaded by

dharishika2007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Graph Element Checklist

❏ The correct type of graph is made for the type of data presented (i.e. bar, line, histogram, pie, etc…)
❏ Graph is neatly constructed, organized, and makes good use of space. If used, colours make the graph
more readable.
❏ For pie graphs, the wedges are clearly labeled or colour coded with a key
❏ For X-Y axis graphs…
❏ the Y axis is labeled with the Responding Variable and the X axis is labeled with the Manipulated
Variable
❏ Units are clearly and correctly idenIfied along the X and Y axis
❏ The graph axes are proporIonal to the data (meaning the data is spread over the span of the
axis, not clumped)
❏ X and Y axis intervals are consistent and correct
❏ All points are ploMed clearly and correctly. In most cases, the mean of the data is graphed (not
each individual trial).
❏ When the mean is graphed, the standard deviaIon of each mean in included and labeled
❏ If needed, best fit lines or curves are added to the graph to show trends or relaIonships
❏ Specific Itle is included. The Itle indicates what data is presented, including scienIfic name if relevant.
❏ “Series” boxes are deleted from graphs created in Excel

How do I know which type of graph to use? Follow this key…

1. Is the data a percent that sums to 100% or a total amount of Ime?


a. If yes .…………………………………Pie chart
b. If no…………………………………....Go to #2

2. Are both your manipulated and responding variables quanItaIve?


a. If no………………………………….... Bar graph
b. If yes …………………………………. Go to #3

3. Is your manipulated variable levels conInuous (i.e. Ime in years) or clumped into ranges (i.e. 0-5 years,
6-10 years)?
a. ConInuous…………………………... ScaMer plot/line
b. Clumped .....…………………………. Histogram
Pie Chart Designed to show a percent of a whole, where the whole equals 100%. Pie
charts are used to compare data, but cannot be used to see how a
manipulated variable affects a responding variable. Pie charts do not show
change with respect to another variable.

Ex: Percent of -me the cell spends in each phase of the cell cycle

Bar Graph Designed to make comparisons of data. The data


represented in bar graphs are not necessarily dependent on
any other variables and the groupings are usually qualita-ve
(i.e. grouped into categories, like blood types or color). The
bars do NOT touch.

Ex: Comparison of the mean reac-on rate for five different


enzymes

Histogram Histograms are similar to bar graphs except the data


represented in histogram is usually in groups of conInuous
numerical (quan-ta-ve) data. In this case, the bars do touch.
Histograms are ofen used to show frequency data.

Ex: Minimum Decibels (dBA) of sound heard by 20 people

Line A line graph consists of a series of points ploMed on the grid


Graph and then connected together point to point by a line. Line
graphs are only used when both variables are quanItaIve.
Line graphs show trends, such as how things change over
Ime.

Ex: Average mean temperature between the years 1900 and


2000

Sca@er The points are ploMed on the grid, but they are not joined
Plot point to point. A best fit line may be added to a scaMer plot to
show a trend. Line graphs are only used when both variables
are quanItaIve. These graphs are useful for showing if a
correlaIon exists between two variables, especially when it is
not possible to alter either of the variables (i.e. in descripIve
studies).
Ex: Reac-on rate at various enzyme concentra-ons
How to Graph:

• Determine the manipulated and responding variables. In an experiment the


experimenter will set up a set of conditions, it may be a range of temperatures or pH
values, or, more common, the experimenter may choose to observe the experiment
proceeding at set intervals of time (seconds, days or even years). These are the
manipulated variables and always go on the horizontal axis (x—axis). The effect of the
experimenter varying the manipulated variable is measured as the responding
variable (the part of the experiment under observation), this is always plotted on the
vertical axis (y—axis or ordinate).

• Note the units of measurement for each of the variables. Non- metric units such as
Fahrenheit (°F) should be avoided in science. It is important to indicate to your audience
in what unit you are actually measuring your variables. The units of measurement are
presented behind the label of the axis, e.g. Temperature (°C)

• The proportions of the axes. The area enclosed by the axes should be roughly square
and not disproportionately exaggerated

• Mark the quantities on both axes and number them at regular intervals. Your axis
intervals do not have to be the same on the x and y axis and they do not have to always
start at the origin with a value of 0.
• Giving the graph a title. The graph must have a title which should contain a brief
description of what is being investigated. Other information which may go in the title,
if available, includes: the date, place and name of experimenter or collector of the data. If
there is more than one graph a reference number or letter is required. For example: “Fig
2: A graph showing the change in testis weight throughout the year in the brown rat
(Rattus rattus)” IS BETTER THAN... “A graph of testis weight against time” which is
insufficient. Underline or use bold type for your title it makes it stand out and is easier
to find on the page.

• Plotting more than one graph on a set of axes. Sometimes two or three sets of data
(though rarely more) are plotted within the same set of axes. You must distinguish
between them by using different symbols (X, Ο, ∇ etc) or lines (………….,
________, -----------, etc). Use a key by the side of the graph which explains the symbols
or lines. Do not write on the graph itself though labels and arrows may be useful. You
may wish to plot data from two different responding variables together on one graph but
the values may be so different you have to use two different scales. One axis can be
placed on each side of the graph.

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