Data Analysis Sample

Data Analysis/Results Table 1, table 2, graph 1, and graph 2 all show the results of a study conducted to measure saliva production in drops of drool per minute among five different breeds of dogs. In addition to the drops of drool, data was collected for average weight in pounds for each dog. Table 1 shows the results of 10 trials for each breed of dog. Table 1: Drops of Drool per Minute by Dog Breed Great Dane 3 3 3 2 4 3 2 3 3 4

Chihuaha 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1

St. Bernard 5 6 8 7 8 8 8 7 6 8

Golden Retriever 4 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 4

Toy poodle 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2

The best value was calculated for each dog breed by taking the average of the ten trials. The averages are shown below in Table 2. Table 2: Average Drops of Drool per Minute by Dog Breed Dog Breed Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy Poodle

Average Saliva Production 3 0.6 7.1 3.6 1.3

On average, the St. Bernard produced the most saliva at 7.1 drops of drool per minute, while the Chihuaha produced the least saliva at 0.6 drops of drool per minute. The Golden Retriever and Great Dane were fairly close in averages, at 3.6 and 3 drops of drool per minute respectively. The Toy Poodle produced 1.3 drops of drool per minute on average, just above the Chihuaha. Graph 1 shows the averages for each dog breed.

Graph 1: Saliva Production by Breed 10 9 8 7 6

Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy Poodle

5 4 drops of drool per minute 3 2 1 0 Average Saliva Production breed of dog

Variations among the trials created some uncertainty, as observed in the error bars above. Table 3 shows the uncertainty and true value ranges by breed for drops of drool per minute. Table 3: Uncertainty and True Value Ranges by Dog Breed (measured by drops of drool per minute) average uncertainty range

Great Dane 3 1 2-4

Chihuaha 0.6 0.5 0.1-1.1

St. Bernard 7.1 1.5 5.6-8.6

Golden Retriever 3.6 0.5 3.1-4.1

Toy poodle 1.3 0.5 0.8-1.8

When compared using error bars to note uncertainty, it is clear that the St. Bernard has the greatest amount of saliva production of between 5.6 and 8.6 drops of drool per minute. The second saliva producer is a tie between the Golden Retriever, at between 3.1 and 4.1 drops of drool per minute and the Great Dane, at 2 to 4 drops of drool per minute. The best value ranges overlap between 4 and 4.1 drops of drool per minute, which is a small amount, but still makes it difficult to decide which is the greater saliva producer. Third place in saliva production is the Toy Poodle, at 0.8 to 1.8

drops of drool per minute, and the Chihuaha, at 0.1-1.1 drops of drool per minute. Both the Toy Poodle and the Chihuaha overlap between 0.8 and 1.1 drops of drool per minute. It is also important to consider the relationship between the average weight in pounds and the amount of saliva produced by each breed. In Table 4 and Graph 2 below, the relationship between weight and saliva production is shown. Table 4: Average Drops of Drool per Minute and Average Weight in Pounds for Each Dog Breed Dog Breed Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy Poodle

Average Saliva Production 3 0.6 7.1 3.6 1.3

Average weight 108 6 122 78 8

Graph 2: Average Weight by Dog Breed 140

120

100

80 Average weight 60 weight in pounds 40

20

0 Great Dane

Chihuaha

St. Bernard

Golden Retriever

Toy Poodle

Dog Breed

Factoring in the average weight in pounds helps to understand the relationship between body size and saliva production. The dog breed with the greatest body weight is also the St. Bernard, which is 14 pounds heavier than any other breed. It is possible that some sources of error exist, as the measurement of

dog drool was incredibly difficult. Dogs are not willing subjects for this type of experiment, and it was difficult to collect the drool. Much of the drool ended up on the scientists measuring the data. Based on the data collected in this experiment, one can conclude that the larger the dog breed in average weight in pounds, the greater the saliva production in drops of drool per minute. It was statistically significant the the St. Bernard had both the greatest body weight, at 122 pounds, and also the most saliva production at 5.6 to 8.6 drops of drool per minute.