Introduction To Graphing

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Graphing in Science

Why do we graph?

• Visual representation of data


• “Short hand” for presenting large amounts of information
at once
• Easier to visualize trends than by just using numbers or
figures
• More organized way of showing information
Types of Graphs: Data Table
Height (cm) of Jr. High Students by Grade

• Used to organize data 7th


140
8th
152
9th
160
144 155 166

collected 144
150
160
166
162
180
155 150 175
130 152 177
133 144 152
152 155 188
• Easily make transition from 140
140
155
180
159
166
141 182 165
raw numbers into a visual 172
180
169
160
166
167
166 160 152
representation 154
155
160
155
184
170
138 175 170
166 153 162
181 140 166
154 145 180
Types of Graphs: Bar Graph
• Shows data as a
side-by-side comparison
of discrete data

• X axis is usually used to


plot independent variable

• Y axis is usually used to


plot dependent variable
Types of Graphs: Line Graph
• Usually shows a change
over time or distance of
connected data
• X axis is used to plot
independent variable (time,
distance, etc.)
• Y axis plots the dependent
variable
Types of Graphs: Scattergram
• A graphic representation of
points referencing two
variables. The scattergram
demonstrates the relationship
between the variables.
Scattergrams are most useful to
represent the results of lab
tests or statistical surveys.
Often used to show a trend.
Types of Graphs: Distribution curve
A bell curve is most often used in
statistical analysis and is a distribution
for a variable. The highest point on the
curve represents the most probable
event in a series of data its mean, mode,
and median), while all other possible
occurrences are symmetrically distributed
around the mean. The width of the bell
curve is described by its standard
deviation.
Types of Graphs: Histogram
• A histogram shows how
often each different value in a
set of data occurs. A
histogram is the most
commonly used graph to
show frequency
distributions.
Types of Graphs: Pie Chart
• Shows parts of a whole
(percentages & proportions)

• Must have all data available and


no groups can share any data
Parts of a Graph
Graph Title

Y Axis Label
- Include units

Legend
X Axis Label
Graph Title
Y Axis Label

Legend
X Axis Label
Graph Title
Data Label
Data Label

Data Label

Data Label
Data Label
Graphing Basics
D-TAILS
D-TAILS is an acronym used to help you remember everything you need to create a
successful graph.
D-TAILS
• Data covers 50% of the graph area and is accurately placed.

NO!!! YES!!!
D- TAILS Hours of Sleep vs. Quiz Scores

Title
Includes what the graph is about and both
the manipulated and responding variables.

Often the title is the last part of the graph


to be added.
D-T AILS
Hours of Sleep vs. Quiz Scores

Axis Labels

Quiz Scores
Manipulated (INDEPENDENT)
variable is always on the x-axis
Responding (DEPENDENT) variable
is always on the y-axis

Sleep
D-TA LS I
Hours of Sleep vs. Quiz Scores

100

Interval Marks 75

Quiz Scores
Consistent spacing
50
Often no zero plot – depends on scale
and data 25

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sleep
L
D-TAI S
Hours of Sleep vs. Quiz Scores

100

Quiz Scores (%)


Label Units 75
In ( ) after the axis label, include the
proper units (if there are units) 50

25

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sleep (hrs)
D-TAIL S
Hours of Sleep vs. Quiz Scores

100
Scale

Quiz Scores (%)


Choose a scale that best fits the page 75

Choose a scale that best projects the 50


‘curve’ – ie flat or steep
25
Not necessary to mark all numbers
0
May not be necessary to scale from 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sleep (hrs)
DRY/MIX
Y-axis
• Y axis runs vertical
(↑) “DRY”
Dependent/Responding Y axis
• X axis runs horizontal
( →) “MIX”
Manipulated Independent X axis X-axis
D-TAILS

• After drawing a graph, write a data analysis statement:

This graph shows that as mv increases, rv


Describe the Relationship
Always draw a trend line (do NOT connect the dots) to show the mv/rv relationship .
Describe the Relationship

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