During an experiment, you will collect data. Therefore, where do you put your data?
On paper?
Yes, but where on the paper?
The data area?
Sort of. What comprises the data area?
Graphs?
No. Graphs are for data analysis. Data tables are for data collection.
Oh, so all biology lab assignments will have a data table.
Yes, most labs will have a data table. However, for some labs, you must create a data table BEFORE experimentation.
How?
Well, here’s how.
How to Make a Data Table
Let’s say your driving question is: Does water temperature affect fish breathing rate? Now the first thing you need to do is figure out the independent and dependent variables. Remember, the dependent variable is the data you collect and depends on the one variable (independent variable) you are changing in this experiment. So what are the variables?
The dependent variable is the fish’s breathing rate which may or may not be affected by the change in water temperature (independent variable).
Awesome. In this hypothetical experiment, you will test three different temperatures (10o C, 15o C, and 20o C) on the fish’s breathing rate. You will collect the number of breaths the fish takes for one minute. Therefore, your data table will need two rows and four columns as pictured below.
Let’s label the columns with the temperatures (independent variable) and the row with the number of fish breaths (dependent variable).
| Temperature | 10o C | 15o C | 20o C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Breaths |
During experimentation, you enter the data in the table.
| Temperature | 10o C | 15o C | 20o C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Breaths | 6 | 14 | 24 |
Is the data table complete?
No.
Why not?
It’s missing a title.
Awesome. What’s a good descriptive title?
Temperature vs. Fish Breaths?
Almost. Temperature vs. Fish Breaths does explain most of the data but it does not explain the length of data collection. Try again.
The Effects of Temperature on Fish Breaths Per Minute?
Awesome. The title briefly describes all of the important experimental variables. Let’s add it to the data table.
The Effects of Temperature on Fish Breaths Per Minute
| Temperature | 10o C | 15o C | 20o C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Breaths | 6 | 14 | 24 |
Would the data table require more rows if I counted the number of breaths each minute for five minutes?
Yes, and your data table will look like this:
The Effects of Temperature on Fish Breaths Per Minute
| Time | Number of Breaths at 10o C | Number of Breaths at 15o C | Number of Breaths at 20o C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minute 1 | 6 | 14 | 24 |
| Minute 2 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| Minute 3 | 6 | 12 | 23 |
| Minute 4 | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Minute 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 |