Technical Science Scientific Tools and Methods

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Technical ScienceScientific Tools and Methods

• Tables and Graphs

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Tables and Graphs

• In this section you will
• Use tables to organize information
• Construct circle graphs
• Construct bar graphs
• Construct line graphs

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Using Tables
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Home

• Making observations and collecting information is
  large part of a scientists job.

• Once this information is collected it must be
  organized and presented in a clear and concise
  way.
• Tables and Graphs are the tools that scientists
  use to organize and present information.

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Using Tables

• Tables consist of horizontal rows and vertical
  columns of information.

• Each row and column should have a heading that
  describes its contents.
• The table itself should have a title to describe
  its purpose.
• Identify the parts of the table on the following
  slide.

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Using Tables
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Column
Title
Heading
Row
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Using Tables

• A table can hold a lot of information.

• Imagine how long it would take to write out all
  the information in this table in sentences.

• A table allows you to present all of the
  information on a single page.

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Using Tables

• Tables organize data efficiently.

• All of the data regarding problems with the video
  system is in a single row.

• All of the data regardingsoftware related
  problems is in a single column.

• The relationship between two variables is shown
  at the intersection of a row and column.
• The number of hardware problems with peripheral
  components is shown at the intersection of the
  hardware column and the peripheral row.

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Using Tables

• Use the table to answer the following questions.

• See if you notice a difference between the first
  two questions and the last two questions.

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Using Tables

• Which system has the most hardware problems?

• Video

• Users have the most difficulty with which system?

• Peripherals

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Using Tables

• What percent of hardware problems relate to the
  drives and RAM?

• 18.5

• What would you do to decrease initial problems?

• Send better instructions about the peripherals

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Using Tables

• How were the first two questions different from
  the last two?

• The first two questions could be answered by
  reading directly from the table. The last two
  questions required you to make some calculations
  and judgments about the data in the table.
• There is a lot more information in a table than
  what is written directly.
• The information in a table can be interpreted in
  many ways to draw conclusions and make
  predictions.

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Using Tables
Home

• Construct a table that can be used to compare the
  features of various models of lawnmowers.

• The table should have a title and column and row
  headings. You dont need to put in the data.
  When you are done click to see an example.

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Using Circle Graphs
Home

• While tables are used for organizing information,
  graphs are used to present information visually.

• Different graphs are designed to present
  different types of information.
• Circle graphs are best used to show how a whole
  is divided into its parts.

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Using Circle Graphs

• Circle graphs consist of wedge-shaped segments
  that together make a whole circle.

• Each segment should have a name and a value.
• The graph itself should have a title to describe
  its purpose.
• Identify the parts of the graph on the following
  slide.

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Using Circle Graphs
Title
Segment
Segment Name
Segment Value
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Using Circle Graphs

• Circle graphs are used to show how a whole is
  broken up into its parts.

• In this case, the whole is the total number of
  students asked about their lunch preference.
• The parts represent the 4 possible responses.

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Using Circle Graphs

• There are a few things you should notice about
  circle graphs.

• The segments must add up to the total.

17 for hot dogs
20 for sandwiches
23 for hamburgers
40 for pizza
100 total
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Using Circle Graphs

• There are a few things you should notice about
  circle graphs.

• The segment size must be relative to its value.
• 20 (1/5) of students chose sandwiches so that
  segment is 1/5 of the circle.

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Using Circle Graphs

• Use the graph to answer the following questions.

• See if you notice a difference between the first
  two questions, the next two questions, and the
  last question.

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Using Circle Graphs

• What percent prefer pizza or hamburgers?

• 63

• What is the least popular menu item?

• Hot Dogs

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Using Circle Graphs

• If 500 students were surveyed, how many preferred
  hamburgers?

• 115

• How many students preferred sandwiches?

• 100

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Using Circle Graphs

• Half the students (500 total) eat the school
  lunch every day. The other half will eat only
  when their favorite food is served. How many
  students can you expect to serve on pizza day?

• 350 ( 250 ( 250 x 40 )) 350

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Using Circle Graphs

• How were the first two questions different from
  the next two? How was the last question
  different?

• The first two questions could be answered by
  reading directly from the table. The next two
  questions required you to make some calculations
  and judgments about the data in the table. The
  answer to the last question was a prediction
  based on the circle graph.
• The information in a graph can be used in many
  ways to draw conclusions and make predictions.

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Using Circle Graphs
Home

• Construct a circle graph to show the following
  data about bald eagle populations in 1998

• When you are done click to see an example.

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Using Bar Graphs
Home

• While tables are used for organizing information,
  graphs are used to present information visually.

• Different graphs are designed to present
  different types of information.
• Bar graphs are best used to show how a number of
  objects or events compare in relationship to
  single property.

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Using Bar Graphs

• Bar graphs consist of a horizontal and vertical
  scale.

• One scale identifies the objects to be compared
  the other scale is numerical.
• The bar graph gets its name from the lines that
  identify the measured value of each object.
• Identify the parts of the graph on the following
  slide.

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Using Bar Graphs
Title
Numerical Scale
Label
Bar
Object Scale
Label
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Using Bar Graphs

• Bar graphs are used to compare measurements taken
  from a number of objects or categories.

• In this case, the measurement is BTUs of energy
  consumption.
• The categoriesare the differentfuel types.

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Using Bar Graphs

• There are a some important features of bar
  graphs. First, the numerical scale must be
  consistent

• Each division on the vertical scale is one unit.
  On this graph 1 unit 1 quadrillion BTUs
• Each division mustrepresent the same amount
  ofchange from thestart to the finish.

1 Quadrillion
1 Quadrillion
1 Quadrillion
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Using Bar Graphs

• The numerical scale must be consistent but there
  is no limit on the value you place on each
  division.

• Our graph was redrawn with a different scale. Now
  1 unit 2 quadrillion BTUs
• The scale is still consistent and the data is
  stillthe same but the graph looks different.

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Using Bar Graphs

• When each unit represents a larger value there
  appears to be less difference between the groups.

• A graph can be misleading or difficult to read
  depending on the scale you choose.

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Using Bar Graphs

• Use the graph to answer the following questions.

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Using Bar Graphs

• How much total energy was used by households in
  1997?

• 10.25 quadrillion BTUs

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Using Bar Graphs

• How many times as much natural gas is used
  compared to LP gas?

• Over 14 times as much

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Using Bar Graphs

• In this graph, a second bar was added for each
  category with data from 1979.

• This bar graph can then be used to compare the
  data from 2 different years.

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Using Bar Graphs

• What is the percent increase in total energy
  usage from 1979 to 1997?

• About 5

• What is the percent increase in electricity usage
  from 1979 to 1997.

• About 46

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Using Bar Graphs

• From 79 to 97 theUS population increased by
  17, electricity consumptionincreased 46, yet
  household energy consumption increased only 5.
  How can you account for this?

• The big increase in electricity use is probably
  related to the huge increase in electronic
  devices. The relatively small increase in total
  consumption is probably related to savings from
  more energy efficient devices.

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Using Bar Graphs
Home

• Construct a bar graph to show the following data
  about US Endangered Animal Species

• When you are done click to see an example.

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Using Line Graphs
Home

• While tables are used for organizing information,
  graphs are used to present information visually.

• Different graphs are designed to present
  different types of information.
• Line graphs are best used to show a relationship
  between two measured quantities.

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Using Line Graphs

• Line graphs consist of a horizontal and vertical
  scale but both scales are numerical since each
  represents a measured quantity.

• Line graphs are drawn by connecting observed
  points where the two numerical quantities
  intersect.
• Identify the parts of the graph on the following
  slide.

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Using Line Graphs
Title
Observed Points
Numerical Scale
Label
Numerical Scale
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Using Line Graphs

• Line graphs are used to compare two measured
  quantities.

• In this case, the two quantities being compared
  are time and number of cell phone subscribers.
• The dots represent the points at which actual
  measurementswere made.

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Using Line Graphs

• The points are located on the graph at the
  intersection of two measured quantities.

• In 1994, there were 24.134 million cell phone
  subscribers. In 1996, there were 44.042 million.

• Once the points are established a line is drawn
  to fit the data as well as possible.

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Using Line Graphs

• The number of cell phone subscribers was actually
  counted in 1984, 1986, 1988, etc.

• But what was the count before 1984 or after 1998
  or in 1995?

• A line graph can be used to make predictions when
  no actual measurements were made.

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Using Line Graphs

• To determine the number of cell phone subscribers
  in 1995, go up from 1995 to the line and over to
  vertical scale.

• According to the line graph there were about
  33 million cell phone subscribers in 1995.

• The line graph let us predict a value that we
  didnt actually measure.

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Using Line Graphs

• To predict the number of cell phone subscribers
  in 1999, you must extend the line then go up from
  1999 and over to the vertical scale.

• According to the line graph there may be about
  85 million cell phone subscribers in 1999.

• How is the 1999 prediction different from the
  1995 prediction?

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Using Line Graphs

• The 1995 prediction occurred between 2 measured
  points.

• The 1999 prediction occurred after the last
  actual measurement.

• In which prediction do you have the most
  confidence?

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Using Line Graphs

• The 1995 prediction is more reliable because we
  know what happened before and after. However, we
  dont know what happened after 1998.

• After 1998, cell phone subscriptions may continue
  to increase which is what we assumed.

?

• They may level off.

• They may decline.

• We cant be sure what will happen after 1998.

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Using Line Graphs

• How many cell phone subscribers were there in
  1991?

• About 8 million

• In what year did the number of subscribers hit
  55 million?

• In 1997

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Using Line Graphs

• Construct a line graph to show the following data
  about the percent of US high school dropouts

1975 13.9 1980 14.1 1985 12.6 1990 12.1 1995 10.5

• When you are done click to see an example.

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Using Line Graphs
Home

• Match the type of graph with its use.

Used to compare several categories Shows the
relationship between two measured
quantities Shows a single measurement of a number
objects or events Shows how a whole is divided
into its parts. Used to make predictions and show
trends
Circle Graph Bar Graph Line Graph
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Technical ScienceScientific Tools and Methods
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