Graphing

Presenting Scientific Data

Scientists accumulate vast amounts of data by observing
events and making measurements. After scientists
organize data in tables, they may display the data in a graph.
A graph is a diagram that shows the relationship of one
variable to another. A graph makes interpretation and analysis
of data easier. There are three basic types of graphs used in
science - the line graph, the bar graph, and the pie graph.

What is a graph?
Graphs are one of the most useful ways to organize and
analyze quantitative data. Graphs show patterns, communicate
information, and allow scientists to make predictions that can
support or disprove a hypothesis. Graphs help us see
information better. When we have a lot of information, graphs
put all the information in one place so that we can see it
quickly and refer to it more easily. The visual characteristics of
a graph make trends in data easy to see.
When you use graphs, think carefully about the conclusions
you can draw from them. You want to make sure your
conclusions are based on accurate information and that you
use scales that help make your graph easy to read.
One of the most valuable uses for graphs is to show data
collected during an experiment. The graph shows your results.

Types of Graphs:
Line graphs


In laboratory experiments, you will usually be controlling one
variable and seeing how it affects another variable. A line
graph is used to show the relationship between two variables.
The variables being compared go on two axes of the graph.
You can do a number of things with the information in a line
graph:
You can determine how a variable changes over
time,
Given one variable, the other variable can be
determined,
You can show trends in the data, and
You can make predictions about data that is not
recorded
Setting Up a Line Graph, you must first identify the
variables.
1. Determine the Independent Variable
The independent variable (aka the manipulated
variable) is the one you have control over or
the thing you change. In a line graph, the
independent variable always goes on the
horizontal axis, called the x-axis..
2. Determine the Dependent Variable
The dependent variable (aka the responding
variable) is the one you don't have control over
or the thing that changes when you change the
independent variable. In a line graph the
dependent variable always goes on the vertical
axis, called the y-axis.
Question: Why are points connected on a line graph?
Answer: The points are connected because they are
related.
Click on the graphic below to see an animation
about a velocity vs. time graph




Click on the graphic below to see an animation
about how to interpret line graphs


Example 1: an experiment has two variables, temperature
and plant growth. Temperature is the manipulated
variable because you chose the time intervals to take the
measurements. The amount of plant growth is the responding
variable because its value depends on what happens in the
experiment.
Temperature Affects on
Tomato Plant Growth
Height of 30 Day Old
Plant (cm)
Temperature
(
o
C)
6 10
7 15
8 20
8.5 25
9 30
9.5 35
10 40



Example 2: an experiment has two variables, time and
temperature. Time is the manipulated variable because you
chose the time intervals to take the measurements.
The temperature is the responding variable because its value
depends on what happens in the experiment.
Temperature of Water
Being Heated
Temperature
(
o
C)
Time
(min)
20 0
40 1
60 2
70 3
80 4
85 5
90 6
95 7


A person who has never seen your experiment can look at the
graphs above and know what took place.

Best Fit
When displaying results from experiments, it is sometimes
appropriate to draw a "line of best fit" - a line which is a better
indication of the overall trend in the data. The line of best fit
may take the form of a straight line or a curve. Results which
are a long way from the line of best fit (called anomalies)
should be ignored. You can see this in the example below. Click
on this link to see how to create a best fit line in MS Excel.


Scatter Graph
Some experiments or groups of data are best represented in a
graph that is similar to a line graph - called a scatter graph. As
in a line graph, the data points are plotted on the graph by
using values on an x-axis and a y-axis. Scatter graphs are
often used to find trends in data. Instead of connecting the
data points with a line, a trend can be represented by a best-
fit line. A best-fit line is a line that represents all of the data
points without necessarily going through all of them. To create
a best-fit line in a scatter graph, there should be
approximately the same number of points plotted on each side
of the line.
If we connected all of the data points with lines, the lines
would create a zigzag pattern that would not tell us much
about our data. But if we find a best-fit line, we can see a
trend more clearly.


Bar graphs
Bar graphs are similar to line graphs. They compare data that
do not continuously change. In a bar graph, vertical bars show
the relationships among data. Bar graphs make it easy to
compare data quickly. A bar graph is useful when you want to
compare information collected by counting, or similar data for
several individual items or events. Use a bar graph if you are
not looking for trends (or patterns) over time and the items
(or categories) are not parts of a whole.
A bar graph makes it easy to see how the data for one item
compares with the data for another. Bar graphs can also be
used to identify trends, especially trends among differing
quantities.
To make a bar graph, set up the x-axis and y-axis as you did
for the line graph. The data is plotted by drawing vertical bars
from the x-axis up to a point where the y-axis would meet the
bar if it were extended.
Click on the graphic below to see an animation about bar
graphs


An example of the type of data you might use for a bar graph
could be Leading Risk Factors that can cause death in Europe
as seen below.

A bar graph might be appropriate for comparing different
trials or different experimental groups. It also may be a good
choice if your independent variable is not numerical. (In
Microsoft Excel, generate bar graphs by choosing chart types
"Column" or "Bar.")

Pie Graphs
Pie graph uses a circle divided into sections to display data.
Each section represents part of the whole. All the sections
together equal 100 percent. Pie graphs (aka pie charts or circle
graphs) are an easy way to visualize how parts make up a
whole. If you think of a pie cut into pieces, you have a mental
model of a pie graph. For example you could use a pie graph if
you need to compare different parts of a whole, where there is
no time involved and there are not too many items (or
categories).
Click on the graphic below to see
an animation about pie graphs


Click on the following links for more information about pie
graphs:
What is a pie graph?
Drawing a pie graph
The figure below is a pie graph that describes the energy
consumption in the United States. The entire circle represents
the types of energy used in the United States. Each "slice" of
the pie represents a percentage of each type of energy being
used.


How do I make a graph without using paper?
Constructing a graph using Microsoft Word
Constructing a graph using Microsoft Word 2007
Constructing a graph using Microsoft Excel
Web-based graphing tool (my favorite) - createagraph

Things to Remember when constructing a Line Graph
Step What To Do How To Do It
1
Identify the
variables
a. Independent Variable - (controlled by the
experimenter) - Goes on the X axis (horizontal)

b. Dependent Variable - (changes with the
independent variable) - Goes on the Y axis
(vertical)
2
Determine
the
variable
range
a. Subtract the lowest data value from the highest
data value.

b. Do each variable separately.
3
Determine
the scale
of the graph
a. Determine a scale, (the numerical value for
each square), that best fits the range of each
variable.

b. Spread the graph to use MOST of the available
space. Rectangular graph paper is turned so that
the variable with the widest range is drawn along
the widest side of the paper.
4
Number and
label
each axis
This tells what data the lines on your graph
represent.
5
Plot the data
points
a. Plot each data value on the graph with a dot.

b. You can put the data number by the dot, if it
does not clutter your graph.
6
Draw the
graph
a. Draw a curve or a line that best fits the data
points.

b. Most graphs of experimental data are not
drawn as "connect-the-dots".
7
Title the
graph
a. Your title should clearly tell what the graph is
about.

b. If your graph has more than one set of data,
provide a "key" to identify the different lines.

Graphing Checklist
What Makes for a Good Graph?
For a Good
Graph, You
Should
Answer
"Yes" to
Every
Question
Have you selected the appropriate graph type for the data
you are displaying?
Yes / No
Does your graph have a title? Yes / No
Have you placed the independent variable on the x-axis and
the dependent variable on the y-axis?
Yes / No
Have you labeled the axes correctly and specified the units
of measurement?
Yes / No
Does your graph have the proper scale (the appropriate
high and low values on the axes)?
Yes / No
Is your data plotted correctly and clearly? Yes / No