How to create an accurate Data Table, Graph or Chart
To make a Data Table:
Effect of different amounts of Fertilizer on the height of a tomato plant
Fertilizer (g) / Height of tomato plant (cm)
Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3 / Average
1 / 100.00 / 105.00 / 101.00 / 102.00
1.5 / 106.00 / 109.00 / 110.00 / 108.33
2 / 120.00 / 138.00 / 125.00 / 127.67
2.5 / 165.00 / 160.00 / 168.00 / 164.33
3 / 141.00 / 150.00 / 145.00 / 145.33
3.5 / 101.00 / 99.00 / 102.00 / 100.67
4 / 90.00 / 88.00 / 85.00 / 87.67
/ 1. On a plain sheet of paper draw a data table as shown here. Be sure to modify the # of Columns and rows to fit the data you have collected.
2. The TITLE must reflect the I. V. and the D.V. together.
3. Label the columns on the left as the I.V. (what you choose). Then list the I.V. types under the title.
4. Label the columns to the right to track the D.V. (what changes as the I.V. changes).
5. Under the title list the number of trials, include a place to list the averages.
6. Include appropriate units for the I.V and the D.V in the titles only not with the data.
To make a Bar Graph (Used to represent simple relationships.):
1. On graph paper draw a set of axes (X and Y).
2. The TITLE must reflect the I. V. and the D.V. together.
3. Label the Y axes with the Dependant Variable.
4. Label the X axes with the Independent Variable.
5. The scale of the axes may be different on X and Y, but may not change on the X and Y axes.
6. Draw a bar that is the Height of the average value from your Data Table.
7. Include appropriate units for the I.V and the D.V on the on X and Y axes. /
To make a Line Graph (Used to show changes over time.):
/ 1. On graph paper draw a set of axes (X and Y).
2. The TITLE must reflect the I. V. and the D.V. together.
3. Label the Y axes with the Dependant Variable.
4. Label the X axes with the Independent Variable.
5. The scale of the axes may be different on X and Y, but may not change on the X and Y axes.
6. Draw points that correspond to the average value from your Data Table. Connect the dots to form a line.
7. Include appropriate units for the I.V and the D.V on the on X and Y axes.
To make a Pie Chart (Used to show percentages.):
1. Use a compass to draw a circle on white or graph paper.
2. The TITLE must reflect the I. V. and the D.V. together.
3. Mark the center of the circle with a dot. This is where all the pie wedges will start.
4. First: Convert all of your averages to percentages. Do this by dividing the number of shoppers preferring one method by the total number poled. Second: Change the decimal to a percentage.
5. Start with the largest percent and use a protractor to make the angle. Then move on the second largest and so on….
6. Label all the wedges and include a % as shown or create a key that shows the texture, label and percentage /
Graphing Questions
1. When creating a data table, what does the left hand column represent? What do the columns on the right hand side track?
2. Where do you include the units in a data table (with the data or in the title)?
3. For each type of graph, what 2 components should the title include?
4. Describe what information each type of graph is used to represent:
a. Line graph:
b. Bar graph:
c. Pie chart:
5. When creating either a bar graph or a line graph, what does the Y axis represent? What does the X axis represent?
6. When placing bars on a bar graph or points on a line graph, do you use the average for all of your data or draw in each data point?
7. What do you need to do to your averages to create a pie chart?
8. How do you mark what each “piece of pie” represents?