Analyzing and Visualizing Data Dr. Lam TECM 4180

What we’ll cover 1.Different types of graphics 2.When to use graphics 3.What graphics to choose 4.What to include with a graphic

Types of graphics Graphic TypeDescriptionExamples DecorativeVisuals added for aesthetic appeal or humor 1.Person riding a bike in a lesson on how a bike pump works RepresentationalVisuals that illustrate the appearance of an object 1.Screen captures 2.Photograph of equipment OrganizationalVisuals that show qualitative relationships among content 1.A matrix like this table 2.A concept map 3.A tree diagram RelationalVisuals that summarize quantitative relationships 1.A bar graph or pie chart 2.A map with circles of different sizes

Types of graphics (cont.) Graphic TypeDescriptionExamples TransformationalVisuals that illustrate changes in time or space 1.Animated demonstration of software 2.A time-lapse of seed germination InterpretiveVisuals that make intangible phenomena visible and concrete 1.Drawings of molecules

Poll Text CHRISLAM138 to 22333

Image 1

Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

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Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

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Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

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Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

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Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

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Options A: Decorative B : Representational C: Organizational D: Relational E: Transformational F: Interpretive

Tables Purpose: To help your readers find data or other information rapidly Tables can be useful to compare data, but may not be as effective as a more visual representation Include a descriptive title, row and column headings, unit of measure (if needed), and source Comparison of Foods FoodCaloriesFat Apple1010 Apple Pop tart g

Line Graph Purpose : To show trends and cycles; To show the relationship between two or more variables Tend to be good for interval level variables (numerical data)

What’s wrong with this?

Line graphs: things to avoid 1.Ethical labeling/scale 2.Time across x-axis

Bar Graph Purpose: To help readers compare quantities and see trends at a glance Tend to be good to display categorical variables

What’s wrong with this?

Bar Graphs: Things to avoid 1.Ethical labeling/scale 2.3-D representations 3.Overly complex bar graphs that try to do too much

Pie Chart Purpose: To show the composition of a whole

What’s wrong with this?

Pie Charts: Things to avoid 1.Not representing parts of a whole 2.Not adding up to a whole 3.Overly complex representations or too many comparisons

Pictographs Purpose: To help readers compare quantities and see trends Simply introduces an additional visual element to an already existing graph (bar, line, etc.)

Things to consider for your project 2 1.Your infographic should (probably) use multiple types of visuals (organizational, representative, decorative, etc.) 2.The interesting trends occur when you look at multiple variables side by side Variable 1: Gender Variable 2: Income Variable: Time 3.It’s ok to use multiple visuals to tell your story. You don’t have to accomplish it all with one visual