Organizing Data into a Table Name ________________________

How Tables Are Useful

Data organized into a table is more useful than unorganized data. A table helps you recognize the relationships
among data and evaluate the data more effectively. Tables can be organized in many different ways,
depending on what relationships you wish to examine.

Tables can be a first step toward more complex ways of organizing data, such as charts or graphs. Once your
data is organized into a table, it is easier to evaluate and to determine if a chart or a graph would be helpful.
Also, a table makes it easier to put data into a chart or a graph.

Setting up the Table

Most tables have a title. At a glance, the title tells you what the table is about. A table is divided into columns
and rows. The first column lists items to be compared. The row across the top lists the specific characteristics
being compared. Within the grid of the table, the collected data is recorded.
1. Create a blank data table.
2. Give your table a title that identifies your variables.
3. The independent variable (that which you purposefully change) is in the left column.
4. the dependent variable (that which you measure) with the different trials is in the next columns.
5. The calculated column is at the far right and is used to calculate an average for the different trials of
your experiment, if appropriate.
The Typical Format of a Data Table
Title: Clearly state the purpose of the experiment
(e.g., The effect of ____ (independent variable) on ______ (dependent variable).

Independent Dependent Variable (unit) Derived Quantity

Variable (unit) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 (unit)
         
         
         

Example:

The pH of Common Household Substances

pH
Substance Average pH
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Lemon juice 2.4 2.0 2.2 2.2
Baking soda 8.4 8.3 8.7 8.5
Orange juice 3.5 4.0 3.4 3.6

PRACTICE: Construct a table on the back of this paper and record the data comparing the mass of recycled
materials collected by a class. On Monday, students turned in 4 kg of paper, 2 kg of aluminum, and 0.5 kg of
plastic. On Wednesday, they turned in 3.5 kg of paper, 1.5 kg of aluminum, and 0.5 kg of plastic. On Friday, the
totals were 3 kg of paper, 1 kg of aluminum, and 1.5 kg of plastic. Include the average amount collected for
each.