Best graph to use for project.
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deleted-131651
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:21 pm
- Occupation: student:7th grade
- Project Question: What earthquakes tell us about plate tectonics.
- Project Due Date: May 7, 2013
- Project Status: I am just starting
Best graph to use for project.
What type of graph would be most effective for comparing damage to lego buildings in a mock earthquake? Variables are soil, earthquake and damage.
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SciB
- Expert
- Posts: 2071
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
- Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
- Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Best graph to use for project.
Hi Corbin,
I'd like to help you with your project but I need a bit more information. What was the question [hypothesis] that you asked and how did you test it [experiments]? Since you said Lego i am assuming you built a structure out of blocks to see how well it could withstand an 'earthquake'. But what is the independent variable that you are testing--different types of soil? --different earthquake strengths? How are you making an earthquake?
For a graph, I would think a simple bar chart with the dependent variable, the degree of damage, on the y-axis and the independent variable, soil type or force, on the x-axis would be the best to show the effects. Do each experiment at least three times and plot the average. If you are using the Excel program to plot the results you can also have it calculate and plot the standard deviation for the three runs. That makes your experiments a lot more reliable statistically. Here's some basic information on graphing your data: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#keyinfo
And here's a more advanced tutorial on statistical analysis of data: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ysis.shtml
Please tell me more details about your project and i will be better able to make suggestions.
Best wishes,
SciB
I'd like to help you with your project but I need a bit more information. What was the question [hypothesis] that you asked and how did you test it [experiments]? Since you said Lego i am assuming you built a structure out of blocks to see how well it could withstand an 'earthquake'. But what is the independent variable that you are testing--different types of soil? --different earthquake strengths? How are you making an earthquake?
For a graph, I would think a simple bar chart with the dependent variable, the degree of damage, on the y-axis and the independent variable, soil type or force, on the x-axis would be the best to show the effects. Do each experiment at least three times and plot the average. If you are using the Excel program to plot the results you can also have it calculate and plot the standard deviation for the three runs. That makes your experiments a lot more reliable statistically. Here's some basic information on graphing your data: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#keyinfo
And here's a more advanced tutorial on statistical analysis of data: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ysis.shtml
Please tell me more details about your project and i will be better able to make suggestions.
Best wishes,
SciB

