Interpret a given table

Tabular presentation of data suits people that likes to examine the result of the study without reading texts.

INTERPRETING TABLES
Tables can be as simple as listing the value for a single property of a substance or
as complex as the one in Figure 21. The unshaded portion lists the melting points
for several substances. The shaded portion of the chart suggests some additional
information to aid in interpretation. You may be asked to look for relationships
in the data.

   

Activity
1. Find two compounds in the table with similar molar masses. Compare
their melting points. Which of the characteristics listed appears to correlate with the differences in melting point?
2. Compare the molecular compounds with the ionic compounds and
make a generalization about structure and melting point.
3. Compare the characteristics of methane, benzene, and naphthalene.
What factor seems to be responsible for differences in melting point?
4. The previous three questions use only some of the information available in the table. Write two more questions that might be asked about
the table.
5. It is important to use all of the information available in a table. However, you should not make sweeping generalizations that are supported
by only a small number of facts. Look at your answer to Question 1
and state what other information you might wish to look up to support
your statement.

Information above is taken from: www.bfwpub.com

Basics of Interpreting a given table:

• Look for relationships
• Highlight the extreme values that has an impact to your study
• Highlight the least values that can give a warning to every readers.

1. Look for relationships

• Find similarity of values for each variable.
• Find some data for comparison.

      2. Look for pattern for drawing a generalize.

      3. Look for factors that may have affected the extreme values-either too large or too small.

      4. Ensure that statements generated from the table must be supported by several data.