Data Tables and Graphs

 A data table is a good way to collect data as well as share data with others  In a data table your IV goes on the left side and your DV goes on the right column(s)  *this is different from graphs*  Example: What’s the IV, What’s the DV? Type of RestTest 1 Test 2 Test 3 Well-rested Students Tired Students757782

 Graphs allow you to share information in a way that is easy to understand  The graphs you will use most often in Biology are bar graphs, line graphs and double line graphs

- A TITLE that explains what is being shown on the graph - Ex: Student Test Scores  A title is NOT a question!  A title should be descriptive

 EQUAL INTERVALS!  Depending on your data you may count by 1,.5, 100, 10,000, etc…MUST BE EQUAL!  Start with 0 and end above your last data point! For example, if your data went from 23 to 96 you would probably start with ___ and end with ____  Find your range by subtracting the lowest from highest numbers (after you decide where you want to start and end)  Divide by 10 to find your intervals

 LABELED X AND Y AXES  You must tell what is being show on each axis, as well as what units where used to measure  Remember the DV must be on the y axis and the IV must be on the x axis

 Bar graphs are used when COMPARING data  Each bar should be the same width  Bars can touch when grouping data

 You will use these graphs the most in Biology  These graphs show change over TIME (minutes, seconds, days, years, etc.)  Intervals (spaces) on both the x and y axis must be equal!  Plot your data using dots, then NEATLY connect the dots to create a line

 This kind of graph is always on the EOC!  I’ve even heard rumor of three line graphs.  It is just like a line graph, except you add another line showing another set of data  Plot one line completely, then plot the next  Your second line should have a different color, point shapes, etc.  Make a key showing what each line represents