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Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion

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Note: The correct answers are marked in green here for you, but this marking will not be visible to the students when they view the assignment.

5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion

After experimentation, you will summarize data, create graphs, and write conclusions. These steps are essential because they help clearly communicate findings, illustrate patterns and relationships, and provide insights that guide future research and understanding.

This workbook includes:

Task #5A: Summarize Your Data in a Chart

Learning Objectives
  • Ensure that you collected enough data and that it is reasonably accurate.
  • Summarize the data you collected by calculating an average when appropriate.
  • Report your data in a properly formatted data chart that includes units of measurement and consistent rounding of data.
Instructions
  1. Read Data Analysis & Graphs to review how to summarize your data using charts and graphs.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a good data chart?
      Correct! Using different formats for numbers throughout the chart is not a good practice; numbers should be formatted consistently.
      Nice try! Review the criteria for a good data chart.
    2. What is the purpose of calculating an average for each trial or group in a data table?
      Correct! Calculating an average helps to simplify the data and identify overall trends in the results.
      Nice try! Review the section on data analysis to understand the purpose of calculating averages.
  3. Calculate averages and document them in a data chart in your lab notebook. You can write the chart directly in your lab notebook or create it in a spreadsheet program (such as Excel or Google Sheets) and print it off to put it in your notebook. See an example here.

    Make sure that your data chart meets all the criteria on the checklist below:

    Turn in your lab notebook to your teacher OR include a link to a picture of your notebook below:
    Link to a picture of your data chart in your lab notebook:

Task #5B: Graph Your Data

Learning Objectives
  • Choose the most appropriate type of graph(s) to display your data.
  • Create a graph of your data that includes a title, labeled axes (IV on the x-axis and DV on the y-axis), units of measurement, an appropriate scale, and correctly plotted data.
Instructions
  1. Read Data Analysis & Graphs to review how to create a graph of your data.
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. Given a dataset where you want to show the relationship between time and plant growth, which type of graph should you use?
      Correct! A time-series plot is appropriate for showing the relationship between time and another variable.
      Nice try! Review the section on graph types to understand which graph is best for showing relationships over time.
    2. Which type of graph is most appropriate for comparing different trials or different experimental groups?
      Correct! Bar graphs are ideal for comparing different trials or experimental groups.
      Nice try! Review the section on graph types to understand which graph is best for comparing different trials or groups.
    3. True or False: When creating a graph, you should place the independent variable on the y-axis and the dependent variable on the x-axis.
      Correct! The independent variable should be placed on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis.
      Nice try! Remember that the independent variable goes on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis.
    4. Which of the following is NOT a necessary component of a well-constructed graph?
      Correct! While brightly colored text and data points can be helpful, they are not required. The text and data points just need to be clearly visible.
      Nice try! Review the criteria for a well-constructed graph to understand the necessary components.
  3. What type of graph(s) will you use to report your data? Why did you choose this type?
  4. Create your graph and document it in your lab notebook. You can create the graph directly in your lab notebook, create it in a spreadsheet program (such as Excel or Google Sheets), or use a website like Create a Graph and print it off to put it in your notebook. See an example here.

    Make sure that your graph meets all the criteria on the checklist below:

    Turn in your lab notebook to your teacher OR include a link to a picture of your notebook below:
    Link to a picture of your graph in your lab notebook:

Task #5C: Write a Conclusion

Learning Objectives
  • Write a science project conclusion that restates the experiment and hypothesis, explains procedures and findings, discusses results, states if the data supports the hypothesis, uses background knowledge to explain findings, identifies relationships between the IV and DV, highlights uncertainties, and suggests improvements and future research.
Instructions
  1. Read Preparing Conclusions for Your Science Fair Project to review how to write a conclusion
  2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
    1. Which of the following is NOT a necessary component of a science project conclusion?
      Correct! Listing all materials used in the experiment is part of the methodology, not the conclusion.
      Incorrect. Review the components of a good conclusion.
    2. If your results do not support your hypothesis, what should you do in your conclusion?
      Correct! You should explain why the results did not support the hypothesis and suggest further research.
      Incorrect. Review the section on writing a conclusion to understand what to do when your results do not support your hypothesis.
  3. You can use the RECERUN model to help you write your conclusion. Review each section of a RECERUN conclusion below and then write your own conclusion for your experiment.
    Swipe left to see more
    RECERUN Section Sentence Starters Example
    R Restate
    Briefly restate what you did in the experiment.     		“In this experiment, I tested ______.” In this experiment, I tested the longevity of Energizer and Duracell batteries across different current drain devices to see which one maintained its voltage the longest.
    E Explain
    Explain why you did the experiment. What is the hypothesis you were testing?     		“The purpose of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that ______.”  The purpose of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that Energizer batteries would last longer than Duracell batteries in all tested devices.
    C Claim
    What claim are you making based on your experiment? Is your hypothesis supported?     		“Based on my experiment, my claim is that ______. This supports/does not support my hypothesis that ______.” Based on my experiment, my claim is that Energizer batteries outperform Duracell batteries in terms of maintaining voltage across low, medium, and high current drain devices. This supports my hypothesis that Energizer would perform the best across all devices tested. 
    E Evidence
    What data supports the claim?     		“The data show ______." The data show that Energizer maintained its voltage 3% longer than Duracell in low-current drain devices, 10% longer in medium-drain devices, and 29% longer in high-drain devices. The heavy-duty non-alkaline batteries did not perform as well as either alkaline battery at any current drain level.
    R Reasoning
    Explain how or why the evidence supports the claim and what relationship you see between the independent and dependent variables.      		“The evidence supports my claim because ______. The data show that there is a ______ (direct/inverse) relationship between the independent variable and dependent variable, which is shown by ______.” The evidence supports my claim because Energizer batteries maintain their voltage longer than Duracell batteries at all tested current drain levels. The data show that there is a direct relationship between the independent variable (time) and the dependent variable (battery voltage), which is shown by the decreasing voltage over time.
    U Uncertainties
    Identify any problems with your procedure and uncertainties or errors in your measurements that may be impacting your data and conclusions.     		“One problem with my procedure was ______, which I solved by ______.”
    “One uncertainty in the experiment was that ______.”     		One problem with my procedure was that the batteries recovered some of their voltage when not in use, which I solved by taking measurements quickly to ensure accuracy. This recovery could have introduced errors in my measurements, potentially impacting the precision of the data and the reliability of my conclusions.
    N New
    What new discoveries and questions do you have after doing the experiment?     		“After conducting this experiment, a new question I have is ______.” After conducting this experiment, a new question I have is how batteries perform under different temperature conditions. Future studies could test battery performance in very cold or very hot environments to simulate real-world usage.
    Write your conclusion below using the table above as a guide:
    Restate
    Explain:
    Claim:
    Evidence:
    Reasoning
    Uncertainties
    New:

Task #5D: Self-Assessment Mastery Rubric

Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion
*Proficient is the goal for most students

Use this mastery rubric to check your learning for each skill or concept in this section of your science project. Identify which level you think you are currently at, add notes about why you think you're at that level, and plan what you can do to improve and take your project to the next level.

Swipe left to see more
Skill/Concept 1 - Beginning 2 - Developing 3 - Proficient* 4 - Extending Assessment + Notes
Data Collection Collects minimal data with significant inaccuracies. Collects some data, but it may be incomplete or somewhat inaccurate. Collects sufficient and reasonably accurate data. Collects comprehensive and highly accurate data. Select: Notes:
Data Summary Fails to calculate averages or provides incorrect calculations. Calculates averages, but the process may contain errors or inconsistencies. Accurately calculates and summarizes averages where appropriate. Accurately calculates averages and other descriptive statistics. Provides a detailed summary, clearly explaining the significance of the averages in the context of the experiment. Select: Notes:
Data Chart Creates a data chart that is improperly formatted, missing units of measurement, and has inconsistent rounding. Creates a data chart with partial formatting. Some units of measurement are missing, and rounding is inconsistent. Creates a properly formatted data chart that includes units of measurement and consistently rounds data. Creates a comprehensive and meticulously formatted data chart, specifying all units of measurement and rounds all data to the appropriate number of significant figures. Select: Notes:
Graph Selection Chooses an inappropriate type of graph to display the data. Chooses a type of graph that is somewhat appropriate for the data but may not be the best choice. Chooses an appropriate type of graph to effectively display the data. Chooses the most appropriate and effective type of graph to display the data. Provides a clear explanation for why it is the best choice. Select: Notes:
Graph Creation Creates a graph that is missing several key elements, such as a title, labeled axes, units of measurement, an appropriate scale, or correctly plotted data. Creates a graph that includes some key elements but may lack others, such as a clear title, labeled axes, units of measurement, an appropriate scale, or correctly plotted data. Creates a graph that includes a title, labeled axes (IV on the x-axis and DV on the y-axis), units of measurement, an appropriate scale, and correctly plotted data. Creates a comprehensive graph that includes a clear and informative title, accurately labeled axes (IV on the x-axis and DV on the y-axis), precise units of measurement, an appropriate scale, and correctly plotted data, enhancing the overall understanding of the data. Select: Notes:
Conclusion - Restate & Explain Provides an unclear or incomplete restatement of the experiment. Fails to adequately explain why the experiment was done or the hypothesis being tested. Briefly restates what was done in the experiment but lacks clarity or detail. Provides a general explanation of why the experiment was done and the hypothesis being tested, but lacks depth. Clearly restates what was done in the experiment. Provides a detailed explanation of why the experiment was done and the hypothesis being tested. Comprehensively restates what was done in the experiment with great clarity. Provides an in-depth and insightful explanation of why the experiment was done and the hypothesis being tested. Select: Notes:
Conclusion - Claim, Evidence, & Reasoning Makes a vague or unclear claim with minimal or no evidence. Fails to explain how the evidence supports the claim or identify the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Makes a general claim with some evidence but lacks detail. Provides a basic explanation of how the evidence supports the claim, with limited identification of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Makes a clear claim supported by relevant evidence. Provides a detailed explanation of how the evidence supports the claim and identifies the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Makes a comprehensive and well-supported claim. Provides an in-depth explanation of how the evidence supports the claim, with a thorough and insightful identification of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Select: Notes:
Conclusion - Uncertainties Fails to identify uncertainties in measurements. Identifies some uncertainties or errors in measurements but lacks detail. Clearly identifies uncertainties or errors in measurements, explaining their impact on the data and conclusions Clearly identifies problems with the procedure and uncertainties or errors in measurements, explaining their impact on the data and conclusions Select: Notes:
Conclusion - New Discoveries & Questions Does not discuss any new discoveries or questions. Provides a brief discussion of new discoveries and questions. Discusses new discoveries and questions that arose from the experiment with sufficient detail. Offers an in-depth discussion of new discoveries and questions that arose from the experiment, providing insights and potential future research directions. Select: Notes:

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