IV.  Collecting Data

There are two ways to organize your data: data tables and graphs

 

Data Table: 

This will occur WHILE YOU ARE DOING YOUR EXPERIMENT!!!  You will record all data into a rough draft of a data table in your science fair logbook.  A data table is how you will organize your data.  While you record your data, make sure you record observations and other notes in your logbook.  After the experiment, take the time to reconstruct your data table neatly, and figure out your averages.  On your backboard you may end up using Excel and come up with a table that looks like the one below. 

         

 

 

Powder

Sand

Gravel

Rocks

1

1.5

4.2

0.7

0

2

5

0.2

0.5

1

3

5.5

3.3

0.8

0.5

4

 

2

1.2

0.1

5

9

3.5

0.5

0.2

6

6

3.5

0.4

-0.3

7

9.2

3.4

0.7

0.1

8

7.4

4.6

1

-0.7

9

 

3.4

 

-0.4

10

1.1

3

0.4

1.5

11

5.4

3

0.8

-1

12

4.1

1

0.2

0

13

5.3

2

0.3

0.5

14

4.1

1

0.3

2

15

1

0.2

0

0

16

3

1.8

0

1.5

Average

4.8

2.5

0.5

0.3

 


 

Graph: 

After you make a data table, you will create a graph.  A graph is a visual representation of your data.  Below is an example of a graph and everything you need to remember when making a graph.   Most of the time, you will only graph averages.