Drawing+effective+graphs


 * General points on graph drawing **


 * 1) Graphs should be drawn on graph paper with sharp pencil (or using a suitable software package, e.g. MS Excel)
 * 2) Just like diagrams BIG is beautiful
 * 3) You are presenting information your graph should be clear and easy to read
 * 4) If using MS Excel for line graphs DO NOT use the 'line chart' option use scatter chart option instead
 * 5) Avoid using 3D effects and shadows - these make it harder to read exact data values from your graph


 * What type of graph should you draw? **

Answer depends upon your independent variable (what you are changing/investigating):
 * If you have a scale (numbers) then it should be a line graph
 * If I have categories (names) it should be a bar chart


 * Check your work before handing it in **

When drawing your graph use the appropriate marksheet to check that you've done a good job. These criteria are what will be used to judge whether your graph is a good one or not.


 * ** Line graph/chart criteria ** || ** Marks ** ||
 * Correct type of graph chosen ||  ||
 * Scales have to be even, e.g. on the y-axis 1 box = 10 m at any point on your scale ||  ||
 * The independent variable is on the x-axis an the dependent is plotted on the y-axis ||  ||
 * Both axis should be __labelled__ with names and units ||  ||
 * Graphs need a __title__ to describe what they show ||  ||
 * All data points plotted correctly ||  ||
 * Data points should occupy most of the graph, axis don’t have to start at 0 ||  ||
 * Line graph markers should be __+ or x__ (avoid circles or dots as they are not accurate) ||  ||
 * __ Best-fit lines/curves __ should be drawn through the middle of your data points (unless directed otherwise) ||  ||
 * Don't draw lines where you don't have points and remember graph lines don't always go through the origin (0,0) ||  ||
 * ** Total ** || ** / 10 ** ||


 * ** Bar chart criteria ** || ** Marks ** ||
 * Correct type of chart chosen ||  ||
 * Y-axis scale has to be even, e.g. 1 box = 10 m at any point on your scale ||  ||
 * Both axis should be __labelled__ with names and units ||  ||
 * Charts need a __title__ to describe what they show ||  ||
 * All data points plotted correctly ||  ||
 * Smallest bars should occupy very little space, the y-axis does not have to start at 0 ||  ||
 * All bars should be of equal width ||  ||
 * ** Total ** || ** / 7 ** ||