Name:_____________________
Section:_______
Scientific Method Lab – Graphing Assignment (3 points)
1. Graph your section data from the Scientific Method Lab using a Box and Whisker plot (refer to
your lab manual or GTA for help).
a. Graphs should be hand drawn on graph paper (graph paper is available in the lab if
needed).
b. Axes should be labeled correctly.
c. Include a caption below your figure.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, state the hypothesis of the experiment clearly. Was the
hypothesis supported or rejected? Explain your answer thoroughly.
3. Compare your hand drawn figure of your section data to the ‘All General Biology I Sections’ data
below in Table 1 and Figure 1. Answer the following questions.
a. What is the sample size of your section data compared to that of the ‘All General
Biology I Sections’ data?
b. Does sample size matter?
c. How does the graph change when the sample size is large?
d. Would you recommend a large or small sample size in a future experiment? Explain your
answer thoroughly.
1
Name:_____________________
Section:_______
Scientific Method Lab – Graphing Assignment
Table 1. Bacterial abundance data for all General Biology I sections. Sample size for this data set is 382
students.
Average
Confidence
Interval
Maximum value
Minimum value
Bacterial colonies
Before Washing
230.0
214.3 to 245.7
Bacterial colonies
using No Soap
241.2
215.4 to 267.0
Bacterial colonies
using Soap X
233.3
204.7 to 261.9
Bacterial colonies
using Soap Y
289.7
251.5 to 327.9
1073
1
801
3
852
4
1100
3
Bacterial abundance for all General Biology I sections
1200
Bacterial colonies
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Before Washing
No Soap
Soap X
Treatment
Figure 1. Box and whisker plot of bacterial abundance data from Table 1.
2
Soap Y