Bar Graph
use for comparing values of a single variable among several groups
Pie Chart
used for comparing parts to a whole
used for showing percentages
X-Y Scatterplot
shows relationships between two continuous variables
Multi-line Graph
used for comparing two continuous variables and a categorical variable
a good graph needs
title: the effect of IV on DV
axes: X and Y
labels: variable names
units: SI
scale: allows data to fit on 1 page
key: describes additional variables
Tables
used to organize data
independent variable in first column
dependent variable in other columns
include title, labels, and units
line of best fit/trend line
a straight line drawn through the data on an XY-scatterplot that illustrates a trend in the data
usually 50% of the data is above the line and 50% is below
extrapolation
an estimation of a value outside of the range of collected data points
interpolation
an estimation of a value inside of the range of collected data points
label/heading
belong in the first row(s) of a table
independent variable (IV)
belongs on x axis - scientist has control over and is changed on purpose
dependent variable (DV)
belongs on y axis - changes as a result of the IV and is measured
controlled variable (CV)
must stay the same for all trials
controlled run
trial that does not include a version of the IV - only CVs are used in complete trial