Topic Four (1.4): Analysing data

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

  • find a pattern in a data using a graph or chart;
  • interpret data to draw conclusions.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic you will be learning how to spot trends in data (this is easier if it is plotted as a graph) and how to interpret data to draw conclusions

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

  • Read pages 8–9 of Activate 1.

COMPLETE - WS 1.4 Activity: Analysing data (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

  • You can download, read and keep this skill sheet. It should help with the activities in this topic:

DOWNLOAD - Skill sheet: Drawing graphs (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

  • Remember ALPS when drawing a graph:
      • A - Axes with units
      • L - Line (or curve) of best fit (on a line graph) - draw this in pencil
      • P - Points plotted precisely (also best done with a sharp pencil)
      • S - Scales - plan these, so your plotted data is spread out and take up at least 50% of the available space
  • Then:
  • COMPLETE - Planning Worksheet (Sections 5 & 6) Download COMPLETE - Planning Worksheet (Sections 5 & 6)
    • Produce a bar chart to show your results. (You could plot a line graph, if you measured your temperatures with a thermometer)
    • Analyse what your results on your graph tell you.
    • Can you describe them?
    • Write a conclusion.
    • Explain what you have found out.

Review Icon.png Review

COMPLETE - WS 1.4 Interactive screen: Is there a relationship? (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

Bridge Icon.png Support activity for this topic

Use the following sheet, to plot the graphs in the analysing data activity, if you are struggling with which variable goes on which axis and with labelling the axes:

COMPLETE - WS 1.4 Support: Analysing data (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

This sheet is helpful when you are choosing scales. You could print it out and keep it for whenever you have to draw a graph in science:

READ - Skill sheet: Choosing scales (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

Download Icon.png Check your answers

This shows some answers for the analysing data activity:

CHECK - WS 1.4 1.4 Teacher and technician notes (Kerboodle) Links to an external site.

CHECK - Planning Worksheet - Specimen Answer (Sections 5 & 6) Download CHECK - Planning Worksheet - Specimen Answer (Sections 5 & 6)

CHECK - WS 1.4 Activity: Analysing data - Specimen Answer Download CHECK - WS 1.4 Activity: Analysing data - Specimen Answer