(COP) Analyzing, Interpreting, and Reporting Data Lesson

Analyzing, Interpreting, and Reporting Data

In every experiment, data will be collected.  There are two basic types of data that can be collected:  qualitative data and quantitative data.  Qualitative Data is information about qualities; information that can't actually be measured. Some examples of qualitative data are the softness of your skin, the color of your eyes, and how much you care for something. Quantitative Data is information about quantities; that is, information that can be measured and written down with numbers. Some examples of quantitative data are your height, your shoe size, and the height of your vertical jump.    

image of football playerExample:  What data can we collect on this running back?

Qualitative Data:

  • He runs fast.
  • He is strong.
  • He is an athlete.

Quantitative Data:

  • Rushes 6.5 yards per attempt
  • Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds
  • Weighs 192 lbs

Since collecting data is such an important part of scientific investigations, it is important data is both precise and accurate.  What is the difference between precision and accuracy?  Look at the pictures below to help explain the difference.

I shot the basketball 4 times and was not able to score a goal.   You can see that my shots were all over the place.   I was not precise nor was I accurate.

image of basketball goal with x's on the backboard

My friend shot the ball 4 times and also was not able to score a goal.  However, he was much more precise than I was in that he hit near the same spot each time.  

image of basketball goal with x's clustered together on the backboard

Another friend was able to shoot the ball 4 times and score a goal every time.  She was both accurate and precise.

image of basketball goal with basketball in net

Accuracy refers to the ability to measure close to the actual or true value of an object.  Whereas precision refers to the ability to consistently measure the same value. As you can see from the example above, just because I measure the same value over and over again does not mean that my measurement is accurate.  An important factor in the accuracy and precision of measurements involves the precision of the measuring tool. It makes sense that the more precise the measuring tool, the more precise and accurate the measurements can be.  As you go about collecting data, be sure to use tools and procedures that will result in both accurate and precise measurements.

After collecting data, what is the best way to display the results so that you can easily analyze and look for trends? When looking at a large amount of data, it is difficult to analyze and see trends in simply a list of numbers.  By graphing the data, one can see trends and make better sense of the data.  It is important to know what type of graph to use to display varying information.  

Watch the videos below for a quick review of 5 different types of graphs that can be used to display data.  

Be sure to fill in the guided notes as you watch the video. Links to an external site.

In summary, the 5 types of graphs and when to use each are as follows:  

  1. Line Graphs are used to display changes over time.
  2. Scatter Plots are used to show a correlation of variables.
  3. Bar Graphs are used to compare groups.
  4. Histograms are used to show the distribution of data.
  5. Pie Charts are used to show the parts of a whole.

You will be required to display your data for each of your lab reports for this course.   It is important to make sure you understand which graph should be used, how to graph the data, and the important components of a good graph.   If you would like to see examples of how to graph using a Spreadsheet or how to graph by hand, please watch the videos below.

Writing a Lab Report

Now that you have an understanding of the basic components of scientific investigations, how do you compile your investigations into a readable, reviewable document?  You must create a lab report.  For this course, you will be required to write a lab report for all of your labs.  Please include the components below in each lab report:

  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Analysis

Let's break each down so that you know exactly what needs to be included in each portion of the lab report.  

  • The introduction needs to be at least a paragraph. It needs to include background knowledge of the topic that can include prior knowledge as well as research you have collected.  You should also state your hypothesis and the reason why you are conducting the lab.  The Introduction paragraph should let readers know what you are hoping to learn by conducting the experiment.  
  • The methods section needs to include all the materials that you have used in the experiment as well as a detailed procedure.  Providing a step-by-step explanation of how you conducted your experiment is important so that others know exactly what was done and can replicate the experiment if they choose. It is sometimes helpful to include drawings or diagrams to describe your procedure or lab setup. There will be times in which you will copy/paste the given lab procedures while there will be other times in which you will need to design your own experiment.  
  • The results section of the lab report needs to include your observations.  Data tables with both qualitative and quantitative observations should be included.  Pictures or drawings should be included to enhance the reader's understanding of your results as well. In addition to the data table, graphs should be included to summarize the findings.
  • The analysis section should include both answers to the analysis questions and a conclusion paragraph. In the conclusion paragraph, you should include what you learned from doing the experiment, if you accept or reject your hypothesis, and what you would do differently if you performed the experiment again. It is important to be very thorough in this section.

Scientific Theory and Scientific Law

By reporting scientific findings, our knowledge of the world and how it works continues to grow.  When a hypothesis is well supported through extensive and repeated testing, it becomes a scientific theory.  This can be somewhat confusing in that our common, everyday language of the word theory means something that is untested or an idea or an opinion.  However, scientific theories have been widely tested and yield the same results over and over again. A scientific theory remains valid as long as there is no evidence to disagree with it.  Some examples of scientific theories include the Theory of Plate Tectonics, Atomic Theory, The Theory of Relativity, and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.  

It is important to understand that scientific theories are not scientific laws.  Scientific laws are statements that describe patterns found in nature.  Scientific laws do not attempt to explain why something is occurring.  Scientific laws help to predict the behavior of objects. Some examples of scientific laws include the Law of Gravity, Newton's Laws of Motion, and the Laws of Thermodynamics.

Scientists are continually trying to expand our current knowledge and to ensure the theories and laws accepted are correct and applicable.  In the next couple of modules, we will be looking at introductory physics concepts.  Physics is an important science to study because it focuses on describing the function of everything around us.  For instance, when you use a GPS device you are relying on physics equations to determine how long it will take you to get from one place to another.  Understanding physics will help explain how microwaves work and why you should not put a metal inside.  As you will see, there are so many practical applications to the physics concepts we will be learning.

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