Mrs. Ault Ext.

4011

Whats ahead until we meet again!

First Unit Test is a week from today Feb. 19th!

1.13: Analyzing Data

To be meaningful, data must be organized, presented clearly (such as on a graph or map), and then interpreted.

Possible Sources of Error in an Experiment / Procedure

Sample size
The size of the sample must reflect the size of the total population. 100 people would be too few to sample, if you want to understand a characteristic of the 14 million people who live in NYC.

Sample area may be too small.

Ault bat example

Visual estimate can lead to error

Sampling Error

Other Types of Error

[ No one can predict future trends accurately. ]

Other Types of Error contd

Research Bias an example

Two scientists in British Columbia are counting trout spawning grounds (called redds) along 5 km of a stream. The presence of milky-colored fish spawn indicates a redd. The scientists walk together, surveying the same areas. Even though they are walking together, they come up with different totals. What could be the reason?

Research Bias an example

Two scientists in British Columbia are counting trout spawning grounds (called redds) along 5 km of a stream. The presence of milky-colored fish spawn indicates a redd. The scientists walk together, surveying the same areas. Even though they are walking together, they come up with different totals.
What could be the reason?

Research Bias an example

Two scientists in British Columbia are counting trout spawning grounds (called redds) along 5 km of a stream. The presence of milky-colored fish spawn indicates a redd. The scientists walk together, surveying the same areas. Even though they are walking together, they come up with different totals.
What could be the reason? Some places look as if they might or might not be redds, and different scientists identify them differently. Important to define terms carefully.

Always analyze data for errors

Always analyze data for errors

Range from 25o C 27o C (77o F 81o F)

The Devil is in the Details

Average Monthly Precipitation in NYC
~7

~5.5
~4 ~2.5 > 1

Yearly average (Butare, Rwanda): 45 inches

Yearly average: 47.25 inches

 By convention, graphs are made with the independent variable on the x-axis. If it is mistakenly placed on the y-axis, where the dependent variable belongs, readers could misread the data. Time = independent variable always graphed across the bottom.

Data may leave policy questions unanswered

Data may leave policy questions unanswered

Lets Check!
Which of the following supports the use of large, representative samples in a study?
a. The amount of data able to be collected from a small sample may be insufficient.

b.

The traits of the sample members may differ randomly from the traits of the population as a whole.

c.

Fellow scientists are less likely to believe a study that uses a small sample.

d.

The study will be over too soon to gather sufficient data.

Lets Check!
Which of the following supports the use of large, representative samples in a study?
a. The amount of data able to be collected from a small sample may be insufficient.

b.

The traits of the sample members may differ randomly from the traits of the population as a whole.

c.

Fellow scientists are less likely to believe a study that uses a small sample.

d.

The study will be over too soon to gather sufficient data.

Lets Check!
Why are instant data, such as the number of rabbits in a field at one time, not usually as reliable as long-term data, such as the average number of rabbits in the field over 10 years?
a. Instant data are only collected by one person.

b.
c.

Collectors of instant data often do not know where to find them.

One data point is not as good as multiple data points, since the one data point might not be representative.

d.

People may disagree in their interpretations of instant data.

Lets Check!
Why are instant data, such as the number of rabbits in a field at one time, not usually as reliable as long-term data, such as the average number of rabbits in the field over 10 years?
a. Instant data are only collected by one person.

b.
c.

Collectors of instant data often do not know where to find them.

One data point is not as good as multiple data points, since the one data point might not be representative.

d.

People may disagree in their interpretations of instant data.

Lets Check!
You are a student graphing the decline in the North American frog population over 10 years. Which of the following might distort a reader's interpretation of the graph?
a. You use a bar graph instead of a line graph.

b.

You put your data points at five-year intervals instead of one-year intervals.

c.

You use colors instead of black ink.

d.

You obtain your data from a previously published scientific article.

Lets Check!
You are a student graphing the decline in the North American frog population over 10 years. Which of the following might distort a reader's interpretation of the graph?
a. You use a bar graph instead of a line graph.

b.

You put your data points at five-year intervals instead of one-year intervals.

c.

You use colors instead of black ink.

d.

You obtain your data from a previously published scientific article.

Lets Check!
Which of the following is a convention of graph making?
a. The data must be capable of being plotted as a straight line. b. There must be at least 10 numbers on each axis.

c. Dependent variables are omitted.

d. The independent variable is on the x-axis.

Lets Check!
Which of the following is a convention of graph making?
a. The data must be capable of being plotted as a straight line. b. There must be at least 10 numbers on each axis.

c. Dependent variables are omitted.

d. The independent variable is on the x-axis.

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Due this week: Tues. 1.13 Quiz Wed. 1.14 Quiz Thurs. 1.11 Unit 1 Field Study Fri. 1.16 Quiz