Analysing Data

Raw Data Tables

Table 1. The pH of 0.1M Acetic Acid at Various Temperatures
Example Calculations
Processed Data Tables
Table 2. The Experimental Equilibrium Constant for 0.1M Acetic Acid at Various
Temperatures.
Displaying Data.Graphs
Is the Data Fully Processed???
Temperature
(
0
C)

Temperature
(K)
Equilibrium
Constant (Ka)
Inverse
Temperature(
K
-1
)
10.0 283.0 3.98 x 10
-6
3.53 x 10
-3

20.0 293.0 8.71 x 10
-6
Etc
30.0 303.0 Etc.
40.0 Etc
Etc.
Table 3. The Inverse of Temperature in Kelvin for 0.1M
Acetic Acid Equilibrium Constant values.
Finding Relationships
Raw Data .
Look at your raw data table.Can you
identify any general trend/trends?
Include important data to support
Can you attribute any knowledgeable
reason as to why this would occur?
Does it follow literature ideas?
Raw Data Tables
Table 1. The pH of 0.1M Acetic Acid at Various Temperatures
Always refer to the table you are discussing
Are there any anomalies in your raw data?
Is there a simple explanation to the
anomalies?
Were these values omitted in averages and
further calculations?

MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE IMPORTANT
DATA, NOT EVERY PIECE OF DATA IN THE
TABLE.

Raw Data Tables
Table 1. The pH of 0.1M Acetic Acid at Various Temperatures
Are all your measured dependent variable
trials when averaged, within the
uncertainty of the equipment you where
using?
If yes/no,. what does that mean?
discuss

PRECISION

Raw Data Tables
Table 1. The pH of 0.1M Acetic Acid at Various Temperatures
Raw Data cannot always tell you whether
your results are precise. Sometimes you
need to do further calculations, as with
Enthalpy of Combustions Experiments.
Processed Data .
Always refer to the table you are going to
discuss.
Can you identify a trend in the processed
data
State the type of trend exponential,
linearetc
State the minimal amount of data that
supports your statement.
Does it need to be processed further?
If a graph and a table say the same thing
then discuss them together.
Does your data trend follow that of the
literature trend line exactly.
If yes/no state why simply.
Does it follow the trend in a gerneral way
but values are lower or higher?
Explain with a simple reason.



DO NOT BE REPETITIVE

Accuracy of the Processed Data
You need to do a calculation for this.
It can be included in your final processed
data table
It tells you how close your results are to
the accepted literature values
The literature values are always done
under perfect conditions
Sometimes literature values are not
provided but a rule/calculation can be
done to identify one.
Any processed data value more than 5%
outside the expected literature value is
said to be inaccurate and can either be
attributed to the experimental design or
the experimental equipment.
A simple summarised statement
identifying the major reason(s) for the
inaccuracy needs to be written
Systematic Analysis of Data..
Order to do it in
Identify the general trend relating to your main
investigation = aim/question.
State important data that supports your trend.
Link to literature trend
Identify anomalies or why your values are
lower/higher generally than the literature values.
Provide a simple statement to explain
Include graph with data table when discussing if
both represent the same information.
DO NOT REPEAT INFORMATION..!!!

ONCE MAJOR RELATIONSHIP/TREND
IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED LOOK AT
OTHER TRENDS THAT ARE PRESENT

Mass, temperature, water, H
relationships?
Order to do it in.
ACCURACY

Discuss the % difference between your
data and the literature data.
Make sure you state important data not all
data.
Simple statement why there is a difference


PRECISSION

Refer to closeness of trials
State important data, not all data
Discuss simply major factor which would
improve precision

RELIABILITY

Can your experimental results be quoted
by other scientists
Combination of accuracy and precision
Summary statement