Data interpretation
Presentation
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Science
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6th Grade
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Practice Problem
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Easy
+5
Standards-aligned
Barbara White
Used 5+ times
FREE Resource
8 Slides • 8 Questions
1
Data interpretation
Middle School
2
Learning Objectives
Define data as the information collected during a science experiment.
Explain how scientists study data to find interesting trends and patterns.
Describe experimental error and discover where it might come from in an experiment.
3
Key Vocabulary
Data
Measurements and observations collected during an experiment, which are then recorded in an orderly way.
Analyze
To examine data for trends or patterns to determine if the results support the hypothesis.
Trend
A general pattern or direction of change that you can observe in the collected data.
Experimental Error
The unavoidable difference between a measurement and its true value that can occur during experiments.
4
Understanding and Analyzing Data
Data is observations and measurements recorded in an organized way during an experiment.
After an experiment, scientists analyze the data to find trends or patterns.
This can involve performing calculations or creating graphs to visualize the information.
The goal is to decide if the results support the original hypothesis.
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Multiple Choice
According to the slide, what is the primary purpose of analyzing data after an experiment?
To determine if the results support the hypothesis.
To ensure the equipment is working correctly.
To make new observations.
To record measurements in an orderly way.
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Analyzing Data: An Example
A gardener studied how different conditions affect flower production.
Group 3 produced the most flowers, with a total of 126.
Analyzing data helps find the most effective growing conditions.
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Multiple Choice
Based on the gardener's data, which group of plants produced the most flowers?
Group 3
Group 1
All groups produced the same number of flowers.
Group 2
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Understanding Experimental Error
Experimental error is the difference between a measured value and the true value.
Scientists review data to find errors from human mistakes or faulty equipment.
A broken thermometer, for example, could introduce an error into the experiment.
Error also occurs if the group studied is not representative of the whole.
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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is described as a potential source of experimental error?
Human mistakes or problems with equipment.
Recording data in an orderly way.
When a trend is identified in the data.
When the results support the hypothesis.
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Common Misconceptions About Scientific Errors
Misconception | Correction |
|---|---|
Any difference in data is an error. | Natural variation in data is normal. Errors are specific, identifiable issues. |
11 Multiple Choice A scientist finds that their new thermometer consistently measures temperatures 2 degrees higher than the actual temperature. How would this affect their data analysis? It introduces a systematic experimental error. It is not a source of error. It helps to support the hypothesis. It creates a new trend in the data. 12 Multiple Choice Why is it important for a scientist to analyze data for trends or patterns? To determine if the collected results support or reject the initial hypothesis. To check for human mistakes during the experiment. To ensure that all data is recorded in an orderly fashion. To prove that the measurement equipment is working correctly. 13 Multiple Choice A student is testing plant growth with different fertilizers but accidentally gives one group of plants twice as much water as the others. How could this action impact the experiment's conclusion about the fertilizers? It only affects the group that received extra water, so the other results are still valid. It introduces an error, making it hard to know if growth changes are from the fertilizer or the water. It helps to identify a new trend in the data related to watering. It will not have any impact on the experiment's results. 14 Multiple Choice Imagine the gardener's Group 1 plants were in a spot that received less sunlight than Groups 2 and 3, but this was not recorded. How does this affect the interpretation of the results? It introduces an error because the difference in flower count might be due to sunlight, not the tested soil pH. It does not affect the interpretation because the flower counts were recorded correctly. It suggests that soil pH is the only factor affecting flower production. It confirms that Group 3 had the best conditions, regardless of sunlight. 15 Data from experiments is analyzed to find patterns and test a hypothesis. Experimental error can cause a difference between your results and the true value. Errors can result from human mistakes or equipment that is not working correctly. Always check your data for errors to ensure your results are correct. 16 Poll On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about interpreting experimental data? 1 2 3 4 Show answer Auto Play Slide 1 / 16 SLIDE 11 questions Intro to Energy End of Unit Quiz Lesson • 6th Grade 10 questions Acids and Bases Lesson • 5th Grade 12 questions The Earth's 4 Spheres Lesson • 5th Grade 12 questions Non renewable Resources Lesson • 6th Grade 10 questions Force and type of forces Lesson • 6th Grade 13 questions Climate Change Lesson • 6th Grade 9 questions Biomes: Concentration on Intro of Terrestrial Biome Lesson • 6th Grade 15 questions Science Variables Lesson Lesson • 6th Grade 7 questions History of Valentine's Day Interactive video • 4th Grade 15 questions Fractions on a Number Line Quiz • 3rd Grade 20 questions Equivalent Fractions Quiz • 3rd Grade 25 questions Multiplication Facts Quiz • 5th Grade 22 questions fractions Quiz • 3rd Grade 15 questions Valentine's Day Trivia Quiz • 3rd Grade 20 questions Main Idea and Details Quiz • 5th Grade 20 questions Context Clues Quiz • 6th Grade 11 questions Valentines Day Quiz • 6th - 8th Grade 20 questions Cell Organelles and Functions Quiz • 6th - 8th Grade 20 questions Rocks and The Rock Cycle Quiz • 6th Grade 8 questions Newton's Second Law Lesson • 6th - 8th Grade 20 questions Thermal Energy - Heat Transfer Quiz • 6th Grade 10 questions Exploring the Rock Cycle: Types and Formation Interactive video • 6th - 8th Grade 10 questions Carbon Cycle Lesson • 6th - 8th Grade 13 questions Plate Tectonics and Earth's Structure Lesson • 6th - 8th Grade |
