Graphing BY HAND resource for students PDF

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Download Graphing BY HAND resource for students PDF

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GRAPHING BY HAND YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO PRODUCING GREAT GRAPHS AIM:

A graph is a way of visually presenting data to pick up trends easily.

MATERIALS: pencil, ruler, graph paper, eraser 1. Collect your data according to laboratory instructions. 2. Examine the data you have collected. What type of graph will you use to plot these data? (this is usually given to you in these laboratories)

3. Which is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable? • An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. • A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment. Ensure you set up your axes in the right way. The independent variable (the thing that you are changing) goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable (the thing that you measure) will go on the Y-axis.

4. Next you need to work out your scale to fill the graph paper with your graph. Make your graph as large as possible to fill the space. Ensure the scale is constantly incremental, evenly spaced and if possible, using whole numbers or one decimal place (d.p).

5. Add informative labels about each variable on each axis and the units used to measure said variable (note: Absorbance does not have units, however it would be very useful to tell us what wavelength you measured Absorbance at either in axis label or in graph title/caption!).

6. The graph title or caption is very important to include. This tells us other useful information not shown in the graph that helps us to understand what you have plotted. Your laboratory tutor will also give you some guidance with what to include. GRAPH TITLES OR CAPTIONS (i (include nclude what is applicable to your graph) • What type of graph are you presenting? Eg. Standard curve • What organism are you using? Eg. Silverbeet Beta vulgaris or Human Homo

sapien Use the scientific name of the organism, underlined when handwritten.

• •

What part of the organism are you using? Eg. Leaf or blood The relationship between the two variables in the graph

NOTE: X vs Y titles are not informative and not acceptable in Biological Sciences. Include other information that is not already gained from reading your axis labels.

7. Add data points to your graph, use a small cross “x” or some other distinct marker.

8. Add a trend line or line of best fit to your data points. This may be a straight line or a curve – please follow instructions from your laboratory tutor on what type of line of best fit is required for your data. The line of best fit should pass through as many data points as possible, with a similar number of points on both sides of the line. Do not just connect the points! Do not extend line of best fit beyond the data points because we do not know what may happen beyond these data points. Trend lines do not always have to pass through zero – check with your laboratory tutor if unsure.

9. Check to ensure you have included everything you need: • Graph fills the page • X- and Y- axis labels and units • Informative title • Data points plotted accurately and tidily • Line of best fit added

10. Read/interpret your graph. What does it tell you? What can you learn from it?

Refer to your laboratory guide Appendix D: Graphing for more information....