© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 1 Effective Tables and Charts Important Elements of Graphic Presentation of Data Rena Cheskis-Gold

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 2 Part I. Charting Data

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 3 Basic Table

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 4 Bar Charts Quickly compare one category to another.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 5 Pie Charts Less flexible than bar charts. Must include all categories and add to 100%.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 6 When there is a second layer of information, you must use a bar chart.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 7 Bar charts are useful for more complex comparisons.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 8 Comparing Distributions: Males to Females

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 9 Comparing Divisions

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 10 Time Plots

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 11 Cumulative Time Plot

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 12 Box Plots To Summarize Large Amounts of Information

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 13 Part II. Statistical Thinking

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 14 When to chart or not? 1. Enough variation to chart? 2. Makes sense to chart? 3. Interesting enough to chart? 4. Precise enough to chart? 5. Enough information to draw a conclusion? 6. Is a chart the best way?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 15 Is there enough variation to warrant a chart?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 16 Will the comparison make sense if charted?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 17 Are the data interesting enough to chart?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 18 Are the data precise enough to chart?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 19 Is a chart the best way to display these data?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 20 Part III. Effective Presentation of Data

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 21 Importance of an Effective Data Presentation The desired effect is not ‘data,’ but ‘information.’ A good appearance will not disguise bad data, but a bad appearance may minimize your good efforts.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 22 Why Do We Need to Understand Graphic Design? To have the correct vocabulary to communicate with design professionals To work efficiently and produce better quality documents Good design is “intelligence made visible”

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 23 Project Background Questions What are the expectations of the audience? What is their level of sophistication? How will the document be used? What are the available resources and timetable? How and where will the document be printed, and are there cost limitations?

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 24 Basic Graphic Design Elements 1.Unity 2.Variety 3.Design a Page Grid 4.Group Related Items 5.Establish Clear Alignments 6.Repeat Visual Elements 7.Utilize Strong Contrasts 8.Choose Appropriate Fonts

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 25 Style Considerations 1.Size 2.Reproduction 3.Lines 4.Level of Precision 5.Over-label 6.Choosing Your Style 7.Abbreviations

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 26 “Although we often hear that data speak for themselves, their voices can be soft and sly.” Mosteller, F. Beginning Statistics with Data Analysis

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 27 Using ‘chart junk’ No relative basis in comparing data batches Compressing the Vertical axis No zero point on the vertical axis Conceptual Errors in Presenting Data Anna Waggener, U.S. Army War College

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 28 ‘Chart Junk’ and Lie Factor Good Presentation 1960: $ : $ : $ : $3.80 Minimum Wage $ Bad Presentation Source: Anna Waggener

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 29 No Relative Basis Good Presentation A’s received by students. Bad Presentation 0  FRSOJRSR Freq.  10%  30% FRSOJRSR % Source: Anna Waggener

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 30 No Zero Point on Vertical Axis Good Presentation Monthly Expenses Bad Presentation JFM A MJ $ JFMAMJ $ Graphing the first six months of sales. Source: Anna Waggener

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 31 More Errors in Presenting Data 1.Inappropriate use of depth 2.Poor labeling 3.Too small or too crowded 4.Bad translation from color to black and white 5.Not enough information

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 32 Especially Annoying Errors in Presenting Data 1.Usage of abbreviations, especially computer variables 2.Superfluous ‘tick’ marks 3.Vibration 4.Unnecessary precision 5.Data hiding in text form

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 33 Using Fonts in Presentations 1.Pick the right font for the message. 2.Serif fonts (Times New Roman) vs. Sans Serif fonts (Arial). 3. Use bold, italics, and color carefully. 4. Consistency is important. Source: Microsoft Powerpoint.

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 34 Typical Powerpoint Default Chart

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 35

© 2004 Demographic Perspectives w 36 For help or information, contact Rena Cheskis-Gold, (203)