Tips for Organizing Science Fair Project Data

Data analysis is one of the most difficult aspects of completing a science fair project. It involves the organization and statistical evaluation of the data points that you collect. For first time science fair participants this process can be overwhelming, however, it doesn't have to be. The key is to follow a very specific set of steps that will take you from data collection to data conclusions.

Step #1 - Record Your Data Completely

The first step in organizing your science fair project data is to record each data set completely. Recording your data needs to be done carefully and mindfully as mistakes in recordkeeping will impact the results of your science fair project. This can corrupt your findings and lead you down the wrong path. To record your data completely you will want to write legible and include as much information about your observations as possible. You will also want to make sure you standardize the information that you collect for each test subject or entry.

Step #2 - Organize Your Data in a Master Spreadsheet

The next step is to organize your data in a spreadsheet. You will want to start by putting all of your data into a master spreadsheet. The master spreadsheet will have one line for each test. Information relating to a variety of characteristics of that test subject will then be recorded in the columns that follow the row. For example, if you are collecting data on a runner to see how their caloric intake impacts their physical condition after running ten miles you will put the name of the test subject in the far left column, then you will record their heart rate in the next column on the same row, followed by their rate of respiration in the next column and their blood pressure in the following column.

Step #3 - Create Sub-spreadsheets

After you have a master spreadsheet set up your next step is to create sub-spreadsheets that will focus on specific pieces of data. For example, if you take the runner experiment you would have one spread sheet that contains data that relates to heart rate, one that relates to blood pressure and one the relates to the rate of respiration.

Step #4 - Analyze Your Data

The final step is to analyze the data in each sub-spreadsheet. This is done by using statistical analysis tools offered by the spreadsheet program that you are working with. You can graph your data points as well using spreadsheet program tools.