MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL
Microbiology Lab 1-Creating Graphs and Tables in Science
Names_______________________________________________________________________
Objectives - After completing this lab the student will be able to:
1. Properly prepare, title, and label a data table.
2. Properly prepare, title, and label a graph using EXCEL or another computer graphing tool.
3. Define dependent and independent variable.
4. Compare and contrast different types of graphs to represent data.
5. Evaluate and interpret data presented in tables and/or graphs.
Science deals with data, facts, and conclusions or predictions from those facts. In order to
effectively communicate data, it is often displayed in tables and illustrated using graphs. Just as
a picture is worth a thousand words, so graphs and tables provide an efficient to way exhibit
data and relationships between the data without using a lot of text. Explaining numerical data
requires large amounts of written text and is sometimes hard to follow and a bit boring. The
tables and graphs used organize data in a visual manner that often suggests a particular
interpretation and makes the information more meaningful. There are many different designs
for graphs but the three main types are shown below.
Describe in your own words the meaning and
purpose of each of these types of graphs.
Pie Graph =
Graph Type
Bar Graph =
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Line Graph =
Dr Janet Fulks
Bakersfield College
August 2010
MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL
As the data becomes more complicated the visual display may become more complex.
Sample Graphs used in Healthcare from www.cdc.gov
Pie Graphs
Stacked Bar Graph
Lab Assignment:
1. Can you briefly describe the data being reported in the stacked bar graph?
2. What point do you think the author of the graph is trying to highlight?
3. Below is a common graph used in healthcare. If you were examining a 24 month old
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baby boy who was 26 pounds and 36 inches long, what would you conclude about the
child?
Dr Janet Fulks
Bakersfield College
August 2010
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MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL
Dr Janet Fulks
Bakersfield College
August 2010
MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL
Most computers have a graphing function built into one of the software programs. I prefer EXCEL but
you may use whatever is available on your computer. If you have none, and graphing is new to you, you
may explore the National Center for Educational Statistics at http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing/ and
review basic graphing skills. EXCEL is loaded on all the computers in the BC computer labs. A simple
tutorial is available at Help with Graphing
Using the data provided by the instructor create a data table and graph in a computer graphing
tool. Double check the all the labeling and that you have used the correct graph. Be prepared to
describe some conclusions about the data you were assigned. There are 10 points possible for
this lab.
Expected
Outcome
Unsatisfactory
did not meet
expectations
DevelopingAccomplished
demonstrates
demonstrates achievement Points
partial completion
of performance level
of expectations
Data table present
A data table was
but unclear or
not present.
incorrect.
The data table is present,
titled & labeled correctly,
containing all the
appropriate data.
Correctly
created a
graph.
A graph is present
but it is not the
A graph was not
appropriate type of
present.
graph or is missing
labels & title.
The proper graph is
present, titled & labeled
correctly, containing all the
appropriate data.
Oral summary The data &
The data & graph
graph are
are not
analyzed &
referenced.
interpreted
accurately
The data & graph
are correctly
referenced &
analyzed but based
on the student’s
knowledge alone.
The data & graph are
correctly referenced &
analyzed. Appropriate
conclusions are made
within the confines of the
data using outside
information.
EXCEL or
graphing
software to
create the table
& graph.
The graph and table
were created using
a computer but
they were incorrect
or incomplete.
The team successfully
created a complete table
and graph using the
computer.
Dr Janet Fulks
The team
created a table
and graph using
handwritten
elements.
Bakersfield College
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Correctly
created a data
table.
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Described
graphs and
answered
Questions
August 2010
MICROBIOLOGY LAB MANUAL
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Comments
Dr Janet Fulks
Bakersfield College
August 2010