1. Tips for the presentation of data
Presentation by: Astrid Marschatz
UNDOCO, DevInfo Project Manager
DevInfo v6.0 training workshop
Geneva, 7-11 December 2009

2. Why do we want to present data?

3. Why do we want to present data?
To portray and describe facts
To communicate information
To advocate for issues and persuade audiences
To engage readers/viewers
It is essential for presentations of data to be
clear
informative
self-explanatory
pleasant in appearance

4. What does the optimal presentation of data depend on?

5. The optimal presentation of data depends partially on ….
The type of data (e.g. text or numeric, categorical or binary)
The amount of data and the space available
The type of media (printed, PowerPoint, etc.)
The audience
The message to be conveyed

6. What are some benefits of tables?

7. Benefits of tables Display information in a clear and orderly manner
BULGARIA
Select social indicators
Year
Rate of children (0-17 yrs) affected by parental divorce
Rate of children (0-3 yrs) in infant homes
Rate of children (0-17 yrs) in residential care
Per 1,000 population
Per 100,000 population
1989
6.3
894.7
1990
5.9
880.1
1281.4
1991
5.7
887.9
1307.9
1992
5.0
962.1
1349.7
1993
3.9
1037.9
1400.3
1994
3.6
1115.7
1417.5
1995
1121.1
1441.9
1996
4.7
1236.2
1520.8
1997
4.6
1307.7
1409.8
1998
5.3
1334.9
1401.6
1999
1280.8
1451.0
2000
1207.0
1428.4
2001
5.4
1237.5
1467.3
2002
5.6
1176.5
831.3
2003
6.9
1096.4
774.5
Display information in a clear and orderly manner
Good for large amounts of information and detailed data
Source: TransMONEE 2005

8. What are some benefits of graphs?

9. Benefits graphs
Graphs can display information in a clear, effective and visually appealing manner
Graphs help to show
relative distributions
disparities between groups
relations between indicators (correlation)
trends over time

10. Graphs help to show relative distributions
Source: InfoUNICEF Argentina.
Source: Tajik GenderInfo

11. Graphs help to show disparities between groups
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG.
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG.

12. Graphs help to show relations between indicators
Source: MDGInfo 2009.
Source: MDG Info 2009.

13. Graphs help to show trends over time
Source: MDGInfo 2009.
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

14. What are some benefits of maps?

15. Benefits maps
Maps can display information in a clear, effective and visually appealing manner
Maps help demonstrate how data vary geographically
ARGENTINA
Population size, 2001
Source: InfoUNICEF Argentina.

16. Tips for presenting data in tables

17. Tips for preparing clean, comprehensible data tables
Table titles should be concise and descriptive, presenting the reader/viewer with a clear idea of
the table’s content
the population included
the reference period
E.g. “Share of adults aged 15 years and older living with HIV, who are women, 1990, 2002, 2006 (Percentage)”
Columns and rows should have a heading/stub identifying the data presented

18. Tips for preparing clean, comprehensible data tables
The unit of measure should be mentioned either in the title of the table or in the column/row headings/stubs
For clarity, row/column arrangement should follow a standard (natural or logical) order, e.g. alphabetical, geographical, by magnitude
The use of decimal points within tables must be consistent
Numeric values should be right-justified
The source of data must always be specified

19. Table hard to read. Units? Location? Source?
Administrative staff in education,
Area Name
Administrative staff in preschool institutions
Administrative staff in primary-lower secondary education
Female
Male
Total
Deçan/Decani 2 25 27
Dragash/Dragaš 20
Ferizaj/Uroševac 1 3 6 46 52
Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje 8 7 15
Gjakovë/Ðakovica 4 9 47 56
Gjilan/Gnjilane 32 36
Gllogovc/Glogovac 5 51
Istog/Istok 13 19
Kaçanik/Kacanik 18
Kamenicë/Kamenica 22
Klinë/Klina 26
Leposaviq/Leposavic
Lipjan/Lipljan 29
Malishevë/Mališevo 30
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica 12 37 49
Novobërdë/Novo Brdo
Obiliq/ Obilic 10
Pejë/Pec 11 42 53
Podujevë/Podujevo 14 43 57
Prishtinë/Priština 17 35 59 94
Prizren 67 86
Rahovec/Orahovac 34
Shtërpcë/Štrpce
Shtime/Štimlje
Skenderaj/Srbica
Suharekë/Suva Reka 39 41
Viti/Vitina 31
Vushtrri/Vucitrn
Zubin Potok
Zveçan/Zvecan
Table hard to read.
Units? Location? Source?

20. Administrative staff in education, 2006-2007 Number
KOSOVO
Administrative staff in education,
Number
District
Administrative staff in preschool institutions
Administrative staff in primary-lower secondary education
Female
Male
Total
Deçan/Decani 2 25 27
Dragash/Dragaš 20
Ferizaj/Uroševac 1 3 6 46 52
Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje 8 7 15
Gjakovë/Ðakovica 4 9 47 56
Gjilan/Gnjilane 32 36
Gllogovc/Glogovac 5 51
Istog/Istok 13 19
Kaçanik/Kacanik 18
Kamenicë/Kamenica 22
Klinë/Klina 26
Leposaviq/Leposavic
Lipjan/Lipljan 29
Malishevë/Mališevo 30
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica 12 37 49
Novobërdë/Novo Brdo
Obiliq/ Obilic 10
Pejë/Pec 11 42 53
Podujevë/Podujevo 14 43 57
Prishtinë/Priština 17 35 59 94
Prizren 67 86
Rahovec/Orahovac 34
Shtërpcë/Štrpce
Shtime/Štimlje
Skenderaj/Srbica
Suharekë/Suva Reka 39 41
Viti/Vitina 31
Vushtrri/Vucitrn
Zubin Potok
Zveçan/Zvecan
Source: KosovoEducation.

21. Colored cells for easy interpretation of data
ARMENIA
Poverty and extreme poverty levels, 2005
Percent
Region
Poverty level
Extreme poverty level
Aragatsotn
32.3
3.1
Ararat
30.9
7.4
Armavir
31.6
3.8
Gegharkunik
36.8
2.9
Kotaik
34.5
8.7
Lori
28.8
5.8
Shirak
42.5
4.3
Syunik
28.9
2.3
Tavush
25.8
Vayots Dzor
19.2
1.8
Yerevan
23.9
3.6
ARMENIA
Poverty and extreme poverty levels, 2005
Percent
Region
Poverty level
Extreme poverty level
Aragatsotn
32.3
3.1
Ararat
30.9
7.4
Armavir
31.6
3.8
Gegharkunik
36.8
2.9
Kotaik
34.5
8.7
Lori
28.8
5.8
Shirak
42.5
4.3
Syunik
28.9
2.3
Tavush
25.8
Vayots Dzor
19.2
1.8
Yerevan
23.9
3.6
Source: DevInfo Armenia PRSP-MDG.
Source: DevInfo Armenia PRSP-MDG.
Poverty level
Low (<25%)
Medium (25-35%)
High (>35%)
Extreme poverty level
Low (<3%)
Medium (3-6%)
High(>6%)

22. No special row arrangement Rows arranged alphabetically
Rows arranged by data value
SELECT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (15-49 yrs), 2005
Percent
Country
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
Romania
0.1
Belarus
0.3
Macedonia
Bulgaria
Croatia
Serbia & Montenegro
0.2
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Russian Federation
1.1
Moldova
Ukraine
1.4
SELECT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (15-49 yrs), 2005
Percent
Country
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
Belarus
0.3
Bosnia & Herzegovina
0.1
Bulgaria
Croatia
Macedonia
Moldova
1.1
Romania
Russian Federation
Serbia & Montenegro
0.2
Ukraine
1.4
SELECT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate (15-49 yrs), 2005
Percent
Country
Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
Bosnia & Herzegovina
0.1
Bulgaria
Croatia
Macedonia
Romania
Serbia & Montenegro
0.2
Belarus
0.3
Moldova
1.1
Russian Federation
Ukraine
1.4
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG

23. Tips for presenting data in graphs

24. Tips for preparing clean, comprehensible graphs
Graphs should be visually appealing and easy for readers/viewers to comprehend
Graphs take up space so they should illustrate only important points
Do not use graphs if you have too few or too many values, or values show little variation
Choose a clear graphical display
The most appropriate type depends partly on the number of categories to be represented and their relative size
Graphs should be understandable by themselves, i.e. the title and subtitle should refer to
the content
the population
the reference period

25. Tips for preparing clean, comprehensible graphs (cont.)
For clarity, arrangement should follow a natural or logical order, e.g. alphabetical, geographical, by magnitude
Redundant features such as excessive gridlines and labels or unnecessary 3-D effects should be avoided, since they crowd the plot area and risk distracting the reader/viewer
All axes should be properly labeled. The unit of measurement for each axis must be clear, and tick marks and gridlines included where necessary
Axis scales should start with the minimum value. If scale breaks are used, these should be marked with a symbol
The source of data must always be specified

26. Wrong type of graph for data
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG

27. Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG

28. Wrong type of graph for data
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

29. Axis break should be very visible!!==
Source: MDGInfo 2009

30. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

31. Wrong type of graph for data
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

32. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

33. Different units on same axis
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

34. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

35. No special column arrangement
Source: InfoUNICEF Argentina.
Columns arranged alphabetically
Source: InfoUNICEF Argentina.
Columns arranged by data value
Source: InfoUNICEF Argentina.

36. Unnecessary gridlines or data labels
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

37. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

38. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

39. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

40. Graph type not appropriate for relative size of categories

42. Unnecessary 3-D effects

44. Excessive gridlines
Source: MDGInfo 2009.

45. Source: MDGInfo 2009.

46. Tips for presenting data in maps

47. Tips for preparing clean, comprehensible data maps
They should be visually appealing and easy for readers to comprehend
Maps take up space so they should illustrate only important points
Maps should be understandable by themselves, i.e. titles should refer to the content, the population, and the reference period
Maps should be accompanied by a legend, and by labels when necessary
The source of data must always be specified

48. Too many themes SERBIA – VOJVODINA
Population density (persons per sq km), General practitioners (per 1000 population) and Hospital beds (per 1000 population
Too many themes
Population density
General practitioners
Hospital beds
Source: DevInfo 5.0 Srbija Serbia

49. SELECT COUNTRIES OF ASIA AND EUROPE Too many data categories
Telephone lines,
Per 100 population
Too many data categories
Source: UNICEF, SOWC 2007.

50. SELECT COUNTRIES OF ASIA AND EUROPE
Telephone lines,
Per 100 population
Source: UNICEF, SOWC 2007.

51. SELECT COUNTRIES OF EUROPE Carbon dioxide emissions per capita, 2002
Metric tons
Map labels hard to read
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG.

52. SELECT COUNTRIES OF EUROPE Carbon dioxide emissions per capita, 2002
Metric tons
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG.

53. Total level of unemployment in the 14-24 age group, 2004
TAJIKISTAN
Total level of unemployment in the age group, 2004
Percent
Map labels overloaded
Source: Tajik GenderInfo

54. Total level of unemployment in the 14-24 age group, 2004
TAJIKISTAN
Total level of unemployment in the age group, 2004
Percent
Source: Tajik GenderInfo
Source: ESDEM
Source: ESDEM

55. SELECTED COUNTRIES OF ASIA Does it print well in B&W?
Infant mortality rate, 2003
Per 1000 live births
Does it print well in B&W?
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG

56. SELECTED COUNTRIES OF ASIA
Infant mortality rate, 2003
Per 1000 live births
Source: CEE CIS Regional MDG

57. Experiment with different types of data presentation to display
particular data points before choosing the most appropriate one and …
Keep it simple!