When choosing what kind of graph to use, there are three basic choices: line gra

Question

When choosing what kind of graph to use, there are three basic choices: line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts. Search the internet for a situation where choosing the right type of graph to represent the information is important. Remember do not use the sort of web resources mentioned above, including instructional aid sites like Statistics How To, or Answers.com: those are not the sort of references we are after in this assignment! Explain, in a well-constructed essay, why you chose the graph, identify the graph's shortcomings, and suggest a way those shortcomings could be fixed. Discuss the title, legend, labels, colors chosen, axis labels, and general layout, including your suggestions to make it better. Be sure to cite the graph's source. Your essay should be complete, and cover each point as outlined above. Be sure to include at least one text citation.

Explanation / Answer

Remember the rules whiles choosing a graph to represent data visually.

Line graphs:

If you want to show trend in the data (in eqaul intervals), then opt for line graphs. For example, number of passengers who missed flights for XYZ airlines in first qaurter of 2017. Therefore, the predictor variable, time should be placed in the x axis and response variable, passengers who missed flights should be placed in y axis.

Bar graphs:

If you want to compare frequencies of different categories with one another, choose bar graph to represent your data. For example, difference in difference in reading hours before sleep between men and women. The categories-men and women should be placed in the x axis and the frequencies should be placed in y axis.

Pie chart:

One should employ pie chart when one has proportion of all items that make up the whole. For example, percentage of employees by educational qualification in a college. Remember, the total percentage should accumulate to 1.

A bar graph (Obamacare sign ups, according to Fox News, buzzfeed) cites that 'As of March 27', the enrollment was about 6 million, whereas, the target was to reach 7 million by March 31. The title of the graph is 'OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT', the legend is not cited, the color sof each bar is blue and axis lebels are also not cited, though x axis represent the categories 'as of Mrach 27' and 'March 31 goal'. The graph clearly manipulates the vertical scale (though, here it doesnot show the scale at all). Any reader will believe that March 31 goal is 5 times the achievement till March 27, as the height of the goal bar is more than 5 times the height of 'as of March 27' bar. the analyst deceives everyone because the vertical scale doesnot begin at zero. One should keep in mind that vertical axis should start at 0, then only the true difference between whatever achieved 'as of March 27' and the 'March 31 Goal' should be visible in the graph. For any refernce, look Fundamental of Statistics by Michael Sullivan, III.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.