OCR AAQ Applied Science F181 - Lesson 11: Graphical Presentation of Scientific Data

By the end

You should be able to…

Identify key features and uses of different graph types.
Choose a suitable graph for a dataset.
Explain why different graphs suit different data and audiences.
Spot common errors in scientific graphs.
Draw accurate graphs from example data.

MWB: Why do scientists use graphs?

Write two reasons.

Core idea

The graph depends on the data

Categories?

Use bar charts or pie charts when you have groups, types or proportions.

Continuous values?

Use line graphs, scatter graphs, histograms, cumulative graphs or box plots.

Pattern across space?

Use specialised graphs such as kite diagrams for abundance along a transect.

Interactive graph hub

Click each graph type for information and a diagram

🔵Scatter graphRelationship between two continuous variables

📈Line graphChange over a continuous variable

📊Bar chartCompare categories

▥HistogramGrouped continuous frequency

🥧Pie chartProportions of a whole

🪁Kite diagramAbundance along a transect

📉Cumulative graphRunning total

📦Box-and-whiskerMedian, quartiles and range

Summary table

Which graph, when?

Graph type	Key features	When used
Scatter graph	Points plotted; may include line of best fit.	Relationship/correlation between two continuous variables.
Line graph	Points joined to show trend.	Continuous data changing over time or another continuous variable.
Bar chart	Separate bars with gaps.	Comparing categories or discrete groups.
Histogram	Bars touch; grouped continuous data.	Frequency distribution of continuous measurements.
Pie chart	Circle divided into sectors.	Proportions or percentages of a whole.
Kite diagram	Symmetrical shapes along a transect.	Distribution or abundance of species along an environmental gradient.
Cumulative graph	Running total curve.	Cumulative frequency or total over time/range.
Box-and-whisker plot	Median, quartiles, range and possible outliers.	Comparing spread and central tendency between datasets.

Which graph when?

Scenario challenge

Press start to begin.

Spot the errors

Click an error card. Students identify the problem, then reveal the answer.

⚠️Error 1Click to inspect the graph.

⚠️Error 2Click to inspect the graph.

⚠️Error 3Click to inspect the graph.

⚠️Error 4Click to inspect the graph.

⚠️Error 5Click to inspect the graph.

⚠️Error 6Click to inspect the graph.

Randomised graph drawing practice

Each click gives a dataset. Identify the graph type, draw it, then reveal support.

Press “new dataset” to begin.

How-to guide

Top tips for drawing graphs

Choose a graph that matches the data type.
Use a sharp pencil and ruler.
Label both axes and include units.
Choose a sensible scale that uses most of the graph paper.
Plot points accurately.
Use gaps for bar charts, no gaps for histograms.
Draw a sensible line or curve of best fit when appropriate.
Add a clear title if required.

Student task

Create a “how to draw science graphs” guide for another student.

which graph to choose and why
top tips for accurate graph drawing
one common mistake to avoid
one worked example

Glossary builder

Click each term and add the definition to your notes.

Exam-style questions

Explain why a bar chart is suitable for blood group data.
Describe two mistakes students often make when drawing graphs.
Explain why a scatter graph may need a line of best fit.
Calculate a pie chart angle for 9 out of 30 students.

Extended work

Advanced graph choices

Kite diagram data

Species abundance is measured every 5 m from the shore to inland.

Distance from shore (m)	Sea lavender abundance
0	2
5	8
10	14
15	6
20	1

Box plot data

Compare pulse rates before and after exercise using spread and median.

Dataset	Min	Q1	Median	Q3	Max
Before	62	68	72	78	86
After	92	104	116	128	148

Cumulative data

Seedling heights are grouped into classes and cumulative totals are calculated.

Height less than (cm)	Cumulative frequency
5	3
10	12
15	25
20	34
25	40

Finishing quiz

Multiple-choice checkpoint

Answer each question. Your score will appear at the end.