Charts and Graphs
DISPLAYING DATA:
Tables, charts and graphs are convenient ways to clearly show your data. Be sure to consider how to best show your results with appropriate graph forms. Be sure to give your charts and graphs an appropriate title that explains what the data measures. On line and bar graphs, the x and y axes must be appropriately labeled with correct unit of measure (in metrics where applicable).
Use the Provided links from our class webpage to gather your data for graphing. Your data must include at least 8 data points for a line graph, 6 different items for your bar and pie graphs.
Make sure that the type of data is best represented by each specific type of graph. Include a legend for your pie graph and label your X and Y axis (remember to include units also).
Use the Create a Graph website (http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/) to construct the three different graph forms from the collected data.
Use the three basic graph forms. The bar graph, the line graph, and the circle (or pie) graph. Notice how each of the following examples are used to illustrate different kinds of data. Choose the best graph form to express your results.
A bar graph is used to show relationships between groups. The two items being compared do not need to affect each other. It's a fast way to show big differences. Notice how easy it is to see what was done in the experiment below with bean plant growth and different brands of fertilizer. A typical chart or table for this graph might look like this:
A line graph is used to show continuing data; how one thing is affected by another. It's clear to see how things are going by the rises and falls a line graph shows. This kind of graph is needed to show the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable. In the sample below, the pulse rate of a person is shown to change over time. As time continues, the pulse rate changes. A typical chart or table for this graph might look like this:
A circle graph is used to show how a part of something relates to the whole. This kind of graph is needed to show percentages effectively. A typical chart or table for this graph might look like this:
