Tables & Graphs

 

TABLES

 

Data presentation of information / observations / measurements

 

General Guidelines for ALL Types of Tables:

• Title   [    Table 1: identify name   ]

» goes outside above table box

• Box in on all sides
• Label all column headings

» include units where possible   [   Mass (g)   ]

» draw horizontal line under headings

• Use a ruler for all straight lines
• Use PENCIL for all lines (can also for data)
• Use graph paper

 

GRAPHS

 

Definition: A visual display of information or data

Types:

1. Line
2. Bar
3. Circle/Pie

 

General Guidelines for ALL Types of Graphs:

• Must have a title [   Graph 1:  Title Name   ]
• Use a ruler for all straight lines
• Label ALL parts
• Use only pencil
• MUSTbe on graph paper
• Landscape = holes on the top;  Portrait = holes on the right

 

Bar Graphs:

• 5+ bars = landscape; 1 - 4 bars = portrait
• used to show comparisons in data

» only 1 variable has units

• label axes

» X-axis with group heading and each item below the column

» Y-axis with what is measured and units [   i.e.  Mass (g)   ]

• columns are the same width with the same amount of space between each
• Y-axis has increasing increments evenly spaced on axis by hatch marks

» each listed value must increase by the same amount

» leave at least one space after Y-axis

• options:

» color bars with colored pencils

» label amount above each column

 

Line Graphs:

• x-values > y-values = landscape; x-values < y-values = portrait
• used to show trends or continuous change

» 2 variables are changing (measured for possible change)

» both variables have units

 

• X-axis (horizontal) plots the independent variable
• Y-axis (vertical)  plots the dependent variable

 

• label axes with what is measured and units   [   i.e.  Mass (kg)   ]
• place increasing increments evenly spaced on axes by hatch marks

» each listed value must increase by the same amount

• plot data points from data table (x, y)

» X-axis values are listed in the first column on the table

» Y-axis values are listed in second column on table

• draw best fit line (1 straight line with ruler or a smooth curved line)
• only use color when there is more than one line

» use colored pencils

» label at the line or add a key

 

• Extrapolation – method used to approximate values that are beyond that data points on the graph (do not plot these points)

• Interpolation – method used to approximate values between data points on the graph (do not plot these points)

 

 

 

Circle Graphs:

• used to show a fixed quantity broken down into parts / surveys

» circle – represents the total

» sections – represents that parts in percent

 

• calculate:

 % of section = _part of value of item_  x 100

                                                                total of values

 

» degrees (°) of section = % of section x 360°

 

• use protractor to measure angles for sections
• label each section with the item and percent

» place outside of circle

» write horizontally

• options:

» color each slice

» use color key to replace labels