Sci20FH Inquiry Project: Data Representation

A few things before we begin:

Full Project Due Date: Monday, Dec. 11 (Science Fair on the 15th)

Data Representation: This section Due Date: Monday, Nov. 27

For your inquiry project you will need to type up your data tables. Be sure to include a Table #,
title, column headings, units, etc.

Some rules for data tables:

➢ Tables need a title that identifies what information is in the table
➢ All columns need to be labeled and include the units of measurement at the top. (Do not
put units after each value in a cell)
➢ Use the same number of decimal places in every measurement in a column. Remember
rules for making measurements and rules of sigfigs.
➢ Center your numbers both vertically and horizontally to make the table easier to read.
Data Representation:
In your inquiry booklets take a look at pages 13 - 18.

Any graphs or charts that are being used for analysis also need to be numbered (Graph or
Figure #).

As you think of your experiment, determine the best way to represent the data. For example, in
a plant study you might make observations of many things per plant on certain days:
# of leaves, height of stem, colour of leaves, diameter of stem, # of seed pods, ….
In a chemistry study, you might measure temperature, pH, rate, or conductivity per minute.

Some of these data sets will work much better as a line graph or as a pie chart. None of you
will use bar charts as these are not based on experimental work but are more for survey results.

Histogram:

The histogram is used for variables whose values

are numerical and measured on an interval scale. It
is generally used when dealing with large data sets
(>100 observations).

Bar graph:

Bar graphs are used to compare things

between different groups or to track
changes over time (e.g. average temp.)

Pie charts: Usually used for qualitative data.

Remember to draw a
Height Line of Best Fit.
(cm)
Do NOT connect dot
to dot.

Time (h)

Pie charts are generally used to Line graphs are used to track changes over
show percentage periods of time. When smaller changes
exist, line graphs are better to use than
bar graphs.
Pie Charts: Usually used for qualitative data.

A Pie Chart would be the best method of displaying the colour of the leaves in a plant study.

If this were part of your inquiry project, what day would you pick since you do not want to draw a
pie chart for every condition for every day?

Ask yourself:
➢ Does all data go into one pie chart, or do you need one pie chart per cell?

➢ What do you have to determine before you can begin?

➢ Anything else to consider?

Table 1: Colour of Leaves on Day 20 of plant growth

Colour of Plant according to colour chart shown below.

Slot 2
Plant Cell
# Group

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 8 6 9 9 8 7 7 9 8 8
2 8 7 8 8 9 7 8 8 8 7
3 8 7 7 7 6 7 7 8 7
4 8 6 7 7 8 6 7 6 5

Colour chart used:

To make a Pie Chart in Excel:

- Add data to your Excel chart by placing the frequencies of the data in
column A and the possible values in column B
- If there is no data for a section, leave it empty
- Select all your data and then click on the Insert tab → Chart → Pie
- Now go in and put in your title, legend, etc. and play around with the
chart’s appearance.
Complete the Following tasks by Monday Nov. 27:
Copy and paste your different graphs from Excel into Word and type in your analysis section
below each.

Task 1:

➢ Create the appropriate pie chart(s) in Excel that shows the pretend data below.
Be sure to give your pie chart(s) a title and legend.

Play around with a few different features.

• Can you get the colours in your pie chart to closely match the colours shown in the
coloured strip below?

• Can you create a legend that indicates the colour # in found on the strip below?

• Can you put a title on top and the percentages in each portion of the chart?

Table 1: Colour of Leaves on Day 20 of plant growth

Colour of Plant according to colour chart shown below.

No fertilizer Fertilizer
Group Group
Plant Cell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
#
1 8 6 9 9 8 7 7 9 8 8 9 8 7 8 9 9 7 8 8 9 9
2 8 7 8 8 9 7 8 8 8 7 9 8 6 8 9 7 8 7 7 8
3 8 7 7 7 6 7 7 8 7 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 7 7 8
4 8 6 7 7 8 6 7 6 5 7 6 8 7 7 6 7 8 8 7

➢ Read page 15 on how to write an analysis section. (see example below).

➢ Below the pie chart(s), give some analysis. What is shown in your pie chart(s)?

How does the data relate to the amount of fertilizer in the cell?
“Line” graphs: This will be the most effective way to display quantitative data that has been
collected over time. For example, this would be the best way to show the changing average
height of sets of plants over time, each with a different fertilizer amount. You would have a
different coloured “line” for each variable set represented on the same graph.

In Excel: Enter your data into the spreadsheet (X axis values (independent variable) in first
column and Y axis values (dependent variable) in 2nd column – or you can choose multiple
columns for the changing variables.

Highlight your data and then select:

Insert Chart Scatter plot (not a line plot).

Be sure to:
• Give your graph a descriptive title top center of graph. (Should clearly explain the Y and
X axis).
Could be written: Y vs X
• Clearly label the Y and X axes, with units in brackets afterwards.
• Be sure the plotted points are visible.
• Be sure you have major and minor gridlines showing to allow for extrapolation
• If the trend-line connects the points in a jagged way, do not use it. You may have to
hand-draw a “line of best fit”. (Do NOT connect points unless they fall in a perfect trend-
line.
• Ask yourself, “does my graph go through 0,0?” If so, include this in your data chart.
• Use a legend. Choose colours wisely. (Yellow is not very visible.)

Task 2:
➢ Create a scatter plot using the class data shown below for average height of canola
plants. Graph ONLY the 4 and 8 pellets on ONE graph.
➢ Try to draw an appropriate line of best fit for each data set. Be sure to put an appropriate
title, axes labels, legend. Include both major and minor gridlines.
➢ Once you have completed your graph, write an analysis section underneath.
➢ Copy and paste your graph into the same Word Document as your pie charts.

(cm)