EMPA

Table

• IV should always be in the first column
• Labels should be descriptive
• Units should always be in the headings of the table

Graph

• IV should always be in the x-axis
• Plotting needs to be accurate
• Scaling needs to be correct
• If the IV exhibits continous data you should draw a line graph, if it exhibits categoric data you should draw a bar chart
• Unitsshould always be on the labels

Questions

• Results are repeated to ensure they are reliable and identify or minimise the effect of anomalies
• Precise results are measured in a very small scale
• An accurate result is the closest to the true value
• A valid result is the one in which the confounding variables have been controled so that the only variable affecting the DV is the IV

Evaluation

• First ask yourself if the data supports the conclusion, if it does use the axis or table labels to refer to the variables
• Next ask yourself if the data contradicts the conclusion, to check for this check if the data talks about any control group; about sample size (larger sample gives you a more reliable mean since it reduces the effect of anomalies) and also check for the number of investigations done (increasing the number of investigations done reduces the effect of chance)

Describing graphs

• Give general trend: Changes in gradient (steep increase or decrease; gradual increase or decrease; leveling off etc.)
• Changes in correlation: positive or negative correlation
• Give data: Where on the x-axis does this change?/ Read accurately
• More than one data set: Use comparative words (steeper, lower, higher, etc.)