Data Tables
Presenting data in an
effective way is an important skill of all scientists. A data table is
used to present information in a succinct way. In building a
data table you must balance the necessity that the table be complete with the equally
important necessity that it not be too complex. Sometimes it is helpful to
break a large table into several smaller ones to allow the reader to identify
important information easily, but, conversely, it is a common mistake of
students to split up into several tables data that
belong in one table. Here is some feedback
I've given about data tables for the Internal Assessment in
addition to some general table formatting guidelines:
- Title the table; make sure the title relates to the data
you will put in your table. The data table title is NOT a repeat of
the research question; the title SHOULD be descriptive of the
data contained in the table.
- Figure
out how many columns and rows are needed.
Rows are a series of horizontal cells and columns are a series of
vertical cells. Although not required, in most cases the
manipulated variable (that which is purposefully changed) is in the left
column, the raw data for the responding variable (that which you measure)
with the different trials is in the next columns, and the processed data
(often average and standard deviation) is in the far right column.
Be sure to include a row for the heading of each column.
- Draw
the table either by hand or within a
software program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Show lines
around all rows and columns. Be sure the table does not break across
multiple pages.
- Label
the columns, including units and measurement uncertainty of
the raw data.
- Record
the data from the experiment or
research in the appropriate columns. The information in the table must be
clear and obvious to anyone who sees it. When you're finished there
should be a number in every space. All numerical values must have
the consistent and correct number of digits. There should
be no variation in the precision of the data; the same number of decimal
places (significant digits) should be used.
- Check
your table. Look over the work to
make sure everything is correct and clear.
Annotated Samples
(from the IBO)
