Reporting Your Data

"Raw" Data vs "Processed" Data

Good scientific methodology requires the recording and reporting of raw data rather than processed data. For example, reporting that 38 out of your 40 seeds germinated would be considered raw data, whereas reporting that 95% of the seeds germinated would be an considered reporting processed data.

When collecting data from multiple sources, scientists prefer to collect raw data. You will be asked to provide raw data when submitting your results; therefore it is important to note the number of seeds planted and the number successfully germinated.

  • it assures that all the data are in the same format which helps facilitate further analysis when the data are combined; and
  • it avoids the introduction of possible errors that could occur when the data are processed prior to its collection and subsequent analysis.
Report

 

Other Data to Report

  1. For each group: the number of days after planting that the first seed germinates.

     

  2. For each group: the number of days after planting that the last seed germinates.

     

  3. For each group: the total number of seeds that have been successfully germinated.

Observations and data collection for the germination experiment should be done on a daily basis at approximately the same time each day.

The essential data to report at the end of the experiment is the total number of seeds planted and the number successfully germinated in each group.

 

 

 

 

Reporting Data
 

Group
 

A

B
Number of seeds Planted    
Date of Planting Seeds    
Date on Which First Seed Germinated    
Date on Which Last Seed Germinated    
Total Number of Seeds Germinated    

 

Supplementary Information

The Mean (average) germination rate

For each day multiply the number of that day by the number of seeds that germinated on that day. For example, if 4 seeds germinated on the 13th day then calculate the product 4 x 13 = 52.

Repeat this for every day of the experiment. The result will be zero for the first week or so, and zero again towards the end of the experiment since no new seedlings will appear.

Add up all the non-zero results.

Divide this total by the total number of seeds germinated. The result is the average germination rate.

The Median germination rate

Determine the total number of seeds that germinated in each group. For each group find the date when the seed in exactly the centre of that number had germinated.

For example, suppose 21 seeds have germinated in a particular group. Then the day on which the 11th seed (mid-point of 21) germinated is the median germination rate for that group.

If the total number of seeds germinated is an even number, for example 16, then choose the day which is mid-point between 8 and 9 (half days are permitted).

The Mode of the germination rate

This is the day (number) or days on which the most seeds germinated. Several modes are permitted if several days all have an equal (and maximum) number of new seeds germinated.

Examples

Mean
Measuring the Mean germination rate
Transparency Master		 Median
Measuring the Median germination rate
Transparency Master		 Mode
Measuring the Mode germination rate
Transparency Master