Representing Data in Science

Representing Data in Science

Data Table: Used to organize & record data that is collected.

• Can be used to help identify trends in data

• Tables are organized according to the independent and dependent variables in the experiment
  

• Dependent variable changes as a result of a change in the independent variable
  

• Independent variable will be listed in rows
  

• Dependent variable will be in columns

• Most data is arranged from smallest to largest

Data Talbes

• The information in each column is identified with a heading at the top of the column

• When units are used, they are included at the top of the column

• Data tables should always have a title that clearly communicates what is being shown in the table

• The title should refer to the variables in the experiment

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in the data table?

• concentration of hormone solution (%)

• Diameter of cell clump after 24 hours (mm)

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable in the data table?

• concentration of hormone solution (%)

• Diameter of cell clump (mm)

Line Graphs show a relationship between two variables

• Line graphs are particularly useful for showing changes in variables over time

• Lines graphs are used when variables are continuous; meaning they have value including fractional values 

• For example, the height of a growing plant changes continuously

• As a plant grows from 10 cm to 11 cm, its height can be 10.2 cm, 10.537 cm, or any other value between 10 and 11

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable shown in the graph?

• Time ( min)

• Blood insulin levels (mg/ml)

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable shown in the graph?

• Time (min)

• Blood insulin levels (mg/ml)

Line graphs are useful to represent trends

• Two values are inversely related or have a negative correlation in the value of one variable is associated with a decrease in the value of the other variable

Open Ended

Describe the trend shown in the following graph:

Line graphs are useful for representing trends

• If an increase in the value of one variable is associated with an increase in another variable, there is a positive correlation between the two variables

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable shown in this graph?

• Blood glucagon levels (pg/ml)

• Time (min)

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable shown in this graph?

• Time (min)

• Blood glucagon levels (pg/ml)

Open Ended

Describe the trend shown in the following graph:

Line graphs are useful for representing trends

• If no relationship exists between two variables, there is said to be no correlation

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in this graph?

• Time (min)

• Blood ghrelin levels (mol/ml)

Bar Graph is a type of graph in which lengths of the bars are used to represent and compare data

• A numerical scale is used to determine the lengths of the bars

• Bar graphs can be used with either continuous or discrete data

• Discrete data can ONLY have whole number values such as the number of people or trees in a neighborhood

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable shown in this graph?

• Time (min)

• Blood ghrelin levels (mol/ml)

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements does the graph support?

• Patau Syndrome has a higher incidence of occurrence than Edwards Syndrome

• Edwards Syndrome affects affects 111/100,000 births

• More children are affected by Edwards Syndrome than Down Syndrome

• Down syndrome affects 111/100,000 births

Open Ended

Describe the trend shown in the following graph:

Combination Graphs: Shows two sets of data on the same graph

• One set of data may be shown as a bar graph

• The other set may be shown in a line graph

• The two data sets must share the same independent variable on the x axis

• Sharing the same independent variable makes it possible to determine if a relationship exists between two dependent variables

Open Ended

What are the two data sets being shown in this graph?