Question

Regarding elements of good presentation of data.

Look for an example of the following:
1. A graphical display that meets the criteria of good presentation of data.

-Explain why it meets the criteria.

-Fully explain what is being communicated in the graph.

2. A graphical display that does not meet the criteria of good presentation of data.

- Explain why it does not meet the criteria.

- Fully explain what the author of the graph should have done differently to better communicate the information.

Answer 1

Part 1)

While creating graphs:

1. Include Title for the graph.
2. Key: If the graph has certain colours and have a special meaning, we should have a key explaining the meaning. Eg: In the below graph, Key is the Region
3. In bar charts and line graphs, clearly indicate what the x and y axis represent.

The above graph shows Region wise % of Elder Houses on High Counsel in Each quarter of 2001. If clearly shows the maximum value was for East in 3^rd Quarter while the value for South is least in 4^th Quarter.

Part 2)

A graphical display that does not meet the criteria of good presentation of data when:

1. Incorrect type of graph is chosen ie if a bar chart explains better than a line chart, we should use a bar chart.

2.Proper Scales should be used. Eg: The raw material costs per kg of A fluctuate around $4–5, B costs fluctuate between $6–7 and C between $8–9. any small variations in price are not being clearly communicated on this graph.

3.We should not add stacked column chart for values which do not have any meaning. Eg: adding together total sales plus total costs does not represent any meaningful value.