2. always keep in mind… arrangement emphasis contrast repetition alignment proximity

3. anatomy of a chart 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 Average Precipitation (Inches) 706050403020 Average Low (Degrees F) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

4. 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 Average Precipitation (Inches) 706050403020 Average Low (Degrees F) Axes axis x (value axis) axis y (category axis)

5. Data Points

6. Trend Lines or Plots

7. 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 Average Precipitation (Inches) 706050403020 Average Low (Degrees F) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Labels

8. 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 Average Precipitation (Inches) 706050403020 Average Low (Degrees F) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Title Weather Data for Cambridge, MA (source: Weather.com)

9. 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 Average Precipitation (Inches) 706050403020 Average Low (Degrees F) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec font size in axis labels is too small for a presentation crossing ticks in corners are distracting (“chartjunk”) overlap of label with lines causes an info jumble Clutter

10. represent complex data in columns and rows or as an underlying grid to arrange information tables

13. show pieces of a whole; represent percentages Figure 2: Leading Causes of Death for Youth and Adults (2003) pie charts

19. used to represent one data group simple bar charts

23. used to represent more than one data group complex bar charts

27. used to plot interval data line graphs

29. used to plot data points scatter plots

31. organizational charts used to reflect/show hierarchy

35. follow spatial contours; used to geographically/spatially represent data data maps

39. data represented by pictures pictograms or pictographs

43. bad, bad data displays labels are almost impossible to read arrangement of information makes no sense

44. just because you can does not mean you should… 3D effects and arrangement completely obscure information flattened text is difficult to read and associate with the data

45. pie charts are used to show percentages, but there are no percentages here size of pies makes it difficult to interpret data

46. what’s the point? what is this telling us? if this chart is supposed to reveal trends in overall consumption, a pie chart should be used to reveal percentages if this chart is supposed to compare consumption across the week, a bar chart would work best

47. if this chart is supposed to reveal trends in overall consumption, a pie chart should be used to reveal percentages

48. if this chart is supposed to compare consumption across the week, a bar chart would work best

49. different types of plot lines (i.e., black line and red line) not explained equations clutter the chart is “Surveyor vs. RIPE” the title of the chart? if so, it should be in a different font face and size from the axis labels > there’s no contrast here to cue us in

50. bar chart is absolutely unnecessary scale is too large for data displayed

51. too much data!

52. how to lie with data displays large scales hide changes

53. drastic scaling emphases changes

54. level of detail can obscure or reveal important information

55. good, descriptive labels are crucial to reveal meaning and purpose

56. certain formatting options can visually overemphasize information

57. 1.launch Microsoft Word 2.in a new document, select Insert  Picture  Chart creating data displays

58. a few thoughts for data displays… This often takes longer than you think it will—be sure to give yourself the time you’ll need to work on them Refer back to this PowerPoint to make sure you’re using the correct display for your data make sure to title and label your data displays appropriately (Word, Excel, and whatever other applications you use might provide some template/help with this, but you might have to access deeper features to add labels not default-offered by the application) Your data displays are due with your rough draft