Lab 2 response

Hi,

A few notes that have come up while grading the 2nd lab, you'll get individual responses hopefully tomorrow.

a) Please double-check to make sure your file loaded correctly, there should be a preview function where you can check.  Also, please be aware of the 10am deadline (and the 10% penalty for lateness) if you make additional attempts.

b) Understand the difference between line plots and scatter plots and when to use each.  The difference is NOT the connecting line between points (you can make scatter plots with connected points).  I've included a figure with the same x and y data with a line plot on the left and scatter on the right.  Here's another source for judging when to use each: http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-excel/archive/2011/08/30/line-or-scatter-chart.aspx

c) Significant figures and notation will be important ALL quarter.  Most people commented that the error in estimating depth of each soil type was significant, but then listed the total effective stress to 6 significant figures!

d)  Any time you use an equation, you must define your variables.  We don't know you understand what they mean unless you tell us.  Named variables are a good way to indicate this, but not the only way.

e)  Name and date EVERY tab and please name your file something like Lastname_nameoflab.xls (so mine would be Johnson_lab2.xls or Johnson_geotech.xls)

f) The extra credit: we do read the extra credit responses and get a very wide range of responses from "this was too easy" to "this was too hard".  Your feedback is welcomed and noted regardless of if you receive extra credit or not.  Since it is extra credit, we require above and beyond thought and effort to receive points.

Again, please let us know if you have any questions, and I hope this helps!
-Anita