Tables and Data
- Created by: Isabelle_Aubrey
- Created on: 15-03-18 17:35
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- Tables and Data
- Know how to present observations and data in an appropriate format
- Scientists need to be able to present and communicate their results clearly so that other people can understand what they've discovered
- Tables of Data
- Before you start your experiment, make a table to write your results in.
- Make sure each column and row has a heading so you know what's going to be recorded where.
- You might also need to include a column for processing your data.
- e.g. working out an average.
- It's usually a good idea to include the units of your measurement-s in the column heading, not the table itself.
- When you draw a table, you need to make sure you include enough rows and columns to record all of the data you need.
- You'll need to repeat each test at least three times.
- If your results are consistent it's a good indication that they're precise.
- Before you start your experiment, make a table to write your results in.
- Be able to identify anomalies in experimental measurement-s.
- Anomalous Results
- Watch out for anomalous results.
- They're usually due to random errors, such as making a mistake when measuring.
- These are ones that don't fit in with the other values and are likely to be wrong.
- You should ignore anomalous results when you calculate averages or draw lines of best fit.
- Watch out for anomalous results.
- A fancy way of saying a result is anomalous is to say that it 'isn't concordant' with the other results.
- Anomalous Results
- Be able to use appropriate mathematical skills for analysis of quantitiative data.
- Calculating Means
- A mean is just an average of your repeated results.
- To calculate the mean result, first remove any anomalous results.
- It's normally more precise than an individual result because it helps to balance out any random errors in your data.
- Then add up all the other measurement-s from each repeat and divide by the number of (non-anomalous) measurement-s.
- A mean is just an average of your repeated results.
- Calculating Means
- Know how to use significant figures appropriately and use appropriate units for measurement.
- Units and Significant Figures
- It's also important to keep track of significant figures when working with data.
- The general rule is that the answer to any calculation should be rounded to the lowest number of significant figures (s.f.) given in the question.
- The second, third and fourth significant figures (and so on) are the numbers that come directly after the first significant figure, whether or not they are zero.
- If there are lots of steps in your calculation before you reach the final answer, you don't need to round your intermediate answers.
- The first significant figure is the first number of a measurement that isn't zero.
- Rounding too early could make your final answer less accurate.
- Units are really important - 10g is a bit different from 10kg, so don't forget to add them to your tables and graphs.
- It's also important to keep track of significant figures when working with data.
- Always write down the number of significant figures you've rounded to after your answer - it shows you really know what you're talking about.
- Units and Significant Figures
- Know how to process qualitative and quantitative experimental results.
- Know how to present observations and data in an appropriate format
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