To make a data table

Science World, Sept 27, 2002

1 Draw a blank data table.

2 Give your table a title that identifies your variables ("My Week's Physical Activity Log").

3 Label the column on the left as the independent variable (Activity). Underneath, list types of activity you used for the independent variable (Walking, Basketball, Swimming, Dancing, etc.).

4 Label the columns to the right as the dependent variable (Minutes). Draw boxes under these columns in which you can record the results of each trial for each activity (Monday, Tuesday, etc.).

5 Include columns at the far right to record the total and the average number of minutes for each activity. To calculate the average, add the minutes for each activity, then divide the total by the number of days in a week: seven.

My Week's Physical Activity Log

                                Minutes

ACTIVITY    MON  TUE  WED  THUR  FRI  SAT  SUN  TOTAL  AVERAGE

WALKING      15   10   15    10   10   40   40    140       20
BASKETBALL  120    0    0     0   55    0    0    175       25
SWIMMING      0   30    0    25    0    0   15     70       10
DANCING       0    0    0     0    0   49    0     49        7