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SL: Graphing Lesson

Graphing

Wait a minute... Graphing? In Biology? Yes - you will be graphing in Biology - the following lessons will go over what graphs we will use, what components are necessary for a graph, and what the importance of graphing scientific data entails.

What Do Graphs Tell Us?

A graph is a way of expressing a relationship between two different variables.

Types of Graphs

  • Line Graph: to see if one variable has an effect on another variable
  • Bar Graph: to compare results from different groups
  • Pie Graph: compare percentages

How Do We Make Graphs?

Parts of a Graph title x and y amounts measure

What are the Variables?

Every scientific investigation has variables:

• Variable: a factor that changes in an experiment.
• Independent variable: a variable that is manipulated (changed) in an experiment.
• Dependent variable: a variable that is affected by the independent variable.

Amount of sunlight = independent variable; growth of plant = dependent variable

Example: In an experiment where we are looking at the effect of the amount of sunlight on plant growth, since we are manipulating the amount of sunlight, it is the independent variable and the growth of the plant is the dependent variable.

You Know the Parts of a Graph, But How Do You Create One?

Click on each type of graph below to learn how to make and use it. 

Self Check

Complete this assignment as a self-check so you can demonstrate mastery of creating graphs throughout the course. 

This activity was adapted from The Concord Consortium Links to an external site..  

Instructions: 

  1. Please go to the following website: http://smartgraphs-authoring.concord.org/activities/249-gl-2-1-graphs-tell-a/student_preview Links to an external site.
  2. Complete the activity titled "Graph Literacy" and be sure to write down/save your answers to the questions within the interactive so you can reference them throughout the course.

 

Graphing Challenge and Before You Go

Let's see how well you know graphs!

 

Answer Key Links to an external site.

Before You Go - You Need to Know

The following key points are from the explore section of the lesson. You must know the following information before moving to the next lesson. This is just a summary of the key points.

 

  1. When do you use a line, bar, or pie graph?
    • Line Graph: to see if one variable affects another variable
    • Bar Graph: to compare results from different groups
    • Pie Graph: compare percentages
  1. What do you need to include for each graph?
    • Title
    • Labeled X and Y-axis
    • Equal increments
    • Unit of measurement
  1. Why are graphs important?
    • Provides a picture representation of data
    • See trends or patterns in data

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