Transcript Graphing (Crash Course)

Graphing (a Crash Course)
Essential Questions:
How do scientists organize data?
What graph is appropriate for a type of data?
How does graphing help us understand scientific
questions/problems?
Why Graph?
• When performing an experiment, a scientist
must be able to record an immense
amount of data and process that data into
useful information.
• This is done by converting raw data into
charts or tables.
• Then, the data must be graphed such that it
can be interpreted by the public.
• Graphs are visual representations of data.
Part 1: Tables and Charts
• Tables and charts are
created for organizing
data from raw data.
• The chart should show
how a trend occurs
over several
occurrences, (months,
trials, categories, etc)
or over time.
• Once data is
organized, it can be
graphed!
Part 2: Graphing Data
A) Pie Graphs
• Pie graphs are
useful in showing
percentages.
• Displays how
different categories
are represented
within a topic area.
– Sample: How many
land does Asia take
up in the world?
Part 2: Graphing Data
B) Bar Graphs
• A bar graph is a way of showing
relationships between variables, typically
items that being compared.
• It contains an x and y axis.
– These are 2 lines that meet at a right
angle.
• It uses a series of columns to display data.
– Example, how does the number of
farms in 1910 compare with 1990?
• Notice:
– The x and y axis are always labeled.
– The graph has a title.
– The bars are vertical.
– The numbers on the Y axis are in
sequence for an accurate comparison.
Part 2: Graphing Data
C) Line Graphs
• A line graph shows the best relationship
between 2 variables.
• Along the x-axis (horizontal) is the
manipulated or independent variable.
• Along the y-axis (vertical) is the responding
or dependent variable.
• Has one or more lines connecting a series of
points.
• Notice:
– Time is on the x-axis (independent
variable)
– Distance is on the y-axis (dependent
variable)
– Distance and time are in sequence.
Constructing a graph
• Decide which variable to place along the x and y axis.
• Decide on a scale for your graph.
– Must be as large as possible within the limits of the paper and
still include the largest item of data.
– Select your scale with ease of locating points, multiples of 1, 2,
5, or 10 are easiest.
• Your Turn! Flip on the back of your notes and let’s
conduct a graphing experiment!