graphing and command terms IB bio

bar graph

a graph that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show comparisons among two or more items or categories

box and whisker plot

a graphic way to display the median, quartiles, and extremes of a data set on a number line to show the distribution of the data

categorical data

data that consists of names, labels, or other nonnumerical values

controlled variable

a factor that is NOT changed in an experiment

correlation

a measure of the relationship between two variables

dependent variable

the factor that MAY CHANGE in response to manipulations of the independent variable and is the factor being MEASURED

direct proportion

a relationship between two variables in which their ratio is constant

exponential relationship

variables that are exponentially proportional to each other will produce a curved trend line when graphed

histogram

a graph of vertical bars representing the frequency distribution of a set of data

independent variable

the experimental factor that is MANIPULATED OR CHANGED; the variable whose effect is being studied

linear relationship

a type of relationship that exists between two variables whose graphed data points lie on a straight line

line graph

a graph that uses line segments to show changes that occur over time

logarithmic

each step or number increases by multiples of 10

mean

the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

median

the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

mode

the value that occurs most frequently in a given data set

mosaic chart

multi-series chart for visualizing the percentage relationships between points along both X and Y axes using categorical scales

negative/inverse correlation

the relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other variable decreases

pictogram

drawing used to represent a word

pie chart

a circular chart divided into triangular areas proportional to the percentages of the whole

population pyramid

a bar graph representing the distribution of population by age and sex

positive correlation

- a correlation where as one variable increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases so does the other
- both variables move in the same direction

quadrant

one of four sections into which the coordinate plane is divided

rate

expressed in terms of either the concentration (amount per unit volume) of a product that is formed in a unit of time or the concentration of a reactant that is consumed in a unit of time

scatter plot graph

a graph of plotted points that show the relationship between two sets of data that do not depend on each other where the line is not connected (example: height versus weight)

spider/radar chart

graphical method of displaying multivariate data in the form of a two-dimensional chart of three or more quantitative variables represented on axes starting from the same point

trend line

a line on a scatter plot that helps show the correlation between data sets more clearly

x-axis

the horizontal line on a graph

y-axis

the vertical line on a graph

analyze

interpret data to reach conclusions

annotate

add brief notes to a diagram or graph

apply

use an idea, equation, principle, theory, or law in a new situation

calculate

find a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working

comment

give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation

compare

give an account of the similarities between two, or more, items referring to both, or all, of them throughout

construct

represent or develop in graphical form

deduce

reach a conclusion from the information given

define

give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept, or physical quantity

derive

manipulate a mathematical relationship(s) to give a new equation or relationship

describe

give a detailed account

design

produce a plan, simulation, or model

determine

find the only possible answer

discuss

give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors, or comparisons of alternative hypotheses

distinguish

make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items

draw

represent by means of pencil lines

estimate

find an approximate value for an unknown quantity

evaluate

assess the strengths and limitations

explain

give a detailed account including reasons, causes, or mechanisms

identify

find an answer from a given number of possibilities

label

add labels to a diagram

list

give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no explanation

measure

find a value for a quantity

outline

give a brief account or summary

predict

give an expected result

show

give the steps in a calculation or derivation

sketch

represent by means of a graph showing a line and labeled but unscaled axes but with important features clearly indicated (example: intercept)

solve

obtain an answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods

state

give a specific name, value, or other brief answer without explanation or calculation

suggest

propose a hypothesis or other possible answer