Graphing Best Practices

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Variable Types

  • Independent Variable: The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment
  • Dependent Variable: The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment
  • Controlled Variables: Variables that are kept constant to ensure a fair test
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Types of Graphs

  • Scatter Plot
  • Line Graph
  • Bar Graph
  • Histogram
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Scatter Plot

  • Plots individual data points
  • Shows the relationship between two variables
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Line Graph

  • Connects data points with line segments
  • Shows trends over time or the relationship between variables
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Bar Graph

  • Uses bars to represent and compare data
  • Good for categorical data or showing differences between groups
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Histogram

  • Shows the distribution of a variable
  • Groups data into bins or ranges
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Key Takeaways

  1. Identify the independent, dependent, and controled variables in an experiment
  2. Choose the appropriate graph type to best represent the data and relationships
  3. Graphs help scientists visualize and analyze experimental results
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