Data tables help organize information gathered during an experiment. To be useful, scientists make data tables in a specific way. One specific “rule of thumb” is to place the manipulated variable in the left column and the responding variable in the right column.
Make data tables for the data collected in the six investigations below.
Investigation #1
A seed was planted. As the plant grew, it was measured over a six-day period.
day one – 0 centimeters, day two – 2 centimeters, day three – 5 centimeters,
day four – 7 centimeters, day five – 8 centimeters, day six – 10 centimeters
Investigation #2
Tomato plants were grown at various temperatures. The number of tomatoes that grew on each plant was counted.
8° C – 4 tomatoes, 12° C – 10 tomatoes, 16° C – 14 tomatoes,
18° C – 18 tomatoes, 22° C – 24 tomatoes, 24° C – 16 tomatoes,
H:\My Documents\Jeschke\Science and the Scientist\Data Tables\Making Data Tables.doc
Investigation #3
Different types of balls were bounced from a table top. The height of each bounce was measured.
golf ball – 21 centimeters, baseball – 9 centimeters, tennis ball – 54 centimeters,
ping pong ball – 48 centimeters, Styrofoam ball – 3 centimeters
Investigation #4
Students in a science class were asked what type of pet they have. The number of each type of pet was recorded.
cats – 7, dogs – 6, hamsters – 3, hermit crabs – 2, snakes - 1
Investigation #5
The types and numbers of cars in the teachers’ parking lot were recorded.
Ford – 12, Chevy – 16, Dodge – 9, Buick -9, Volvo -1, Honda – 2, Toyota - 1
Investigation #6
A student investigated and recorded how the amount of study time affected the scores on a science test.
0 hours – 58 points, 1 hour – 66 points, 2 hours – 82 points, 3 hours – 84 points,
4 hours – 88 points, 5 hours – 90 points, 6 hours – 88 points
H:\My Documents\Jeschke\Science and the Scientist\Data Tables\Making Data Tables.doc