Graphing DataShowing patterns & trends

2010-2011

Types of data (information)

Variables dependent variable

measured variable unpredictable change: we don’t know how it will

change until we do the investigation Y-axis

independent variable manipulated variable predictable change: it only

changes because we chose how it would change

X-axis Constant Variables

Remain the same throughout the experiment

Bio-H 2010-11

The effect of _____________

on _____________

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

Examples of experiment - A How does light color affect the growth rate of

plants? we set up an experiment testing different colors of

light on different plants & measuring the growth (height) of the plants: dependent variable (Y-axis)?

height of plants independent variable (X-axis)?

Color of light (wavelength)

Bio-H 2010-11

The effect of _____________

on _____________

Color of Light

Height of Plants

Examples of experiments -B

How does caffeine affect heart rate of science teachers? we set up an experiment testing different

amounts of caffeine (mg) on the heart rate of teachers: dependent variable (Y-axis)?

heart rate (bpm) independent variable (X-axis)?

Amount of caffeine (mg)

Biology H – 2010-11

The effect of _____________

on _____________

Caffeine

Heart Rate

Examples of experiments C

What’s the favorite candy bar of students? we set up an experiment surveying students and

asking which is their favorite candy bar : dependent variable (Y-axis)?

number of students independent variable (X-axis)?

type of candy

Biology H – 2010-11

The effect of _____________

on _____________

Candy Bar type

Number of students

Making pictures out of data

Graphs line graph

Use when data shows a trend or continuous change bar graph (or histograms)

Use when graphing data that is in disconnected groups

Biology H – 2010-11

Biology-H 2010-11

How does elevation affect temperature?

elevation

Te

mp

era

ture

(•C

)

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 500 1000 1500 2000 25000

elevation (feet above sea level)

temp.

(°C)

0 30

500 25

1000 20

1500 15

2000 10

2500 5

1200 ft?

18

Line graph!

1200

Biology H 2010-11

Which Candy Bar do you like best?

type of candy (feet above sea level)

nu

mb

er

of

stu

den

ts

1

2

3

4

5

6

Almond JoyMilky Way Kit Kat Snickers M&Ms0

Brand number

Almond Joy 1

Milky Way 1

Kit Kat 4

Snickers 4

M&M’s 3

Reese’s Cup??

RCRC

Bar graph!