How to make a Data Table
Observation is the skill of recognizing and recording some fact or occurrence, including
the act of measuring. During a scientific investigation it is required that you will design
and complete a data table to keep track of your observations.
The first step is to decide whether the data you will record will be qualitative or
quantitative.
Qualitative data is describing something without numbers, such as, using words
to describe how something behaves, using the senses to describe how something
looks, smells, sounds, feels, tastes. This data can not be represented on a graph.
Quantitative data is measurement, when you use numbers to describe
something. Examples: measuring length, mass, force, (weight), volume, speed,
time, etc.
When recording data identify the manipulative variable and responding variable.
Manipulative variable is the thing that is deliberately changed by you to
determine that factor’s relationship to the responding variable. This is
recorded in the first column of the data table. The name of the
manipulated variable will also be the name of the x-axis when graphing
the data.
Responding variable is the thing that changes in response to the
manipulated variable and is measured. This is recorded in the second
column of the data table. The name of the responding variable will also be
the name of the y-axis when graphing the data.
Controlled variable is the conditions that are kept the same in a scientific
investigation.
Manipulated
Variable
(x-axis)
Responding Variable
(y-axis)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Scoring Rubric for Data Tables
Attribute
1. Manipulated variable is located in the first
column of the data table (left side)
2. Responding variable is located to the right of
the manipulated variable.
3. There are at least three trials represented on
the data table for each manipulated variable
tested.
4. Column represent the average of the three
trials
Point
Value