Graphing Guidelines

• Purpose of a graph is to show data visually
• Graphs show AVERAGED data – NOT raw data
• Hand-drawn graphs should always be done on graph paper, not lined or plain paper
• Bar graphs are used for discontinuous data (data that is not connected, such as types of fruits)
• Line graphs are used for continuous data (data that is connected, such as over a period of time).  Lines consist of connected dots.
• X axis: the horizontal axis (across the page)
• Usually, the X axis shows the manipulated (independent) variable
• Y axis: the vertical axis (up and down the page)
• Usually, the Y axis shows the responding (dependent)variable
• Title: graphs must have a title, centered at top
• Numerical Data: listed ON a line on the axes (for example: the 0 is ON the bottom line)
• Labels: graphs must have labels on the X axis and Y axis in addition to data values
• All labels must give the units for the data (examples: cm, grams, o Celcius)