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

2. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 2 Part I. Charting Data

3. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 3 Basic Table

4. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 4 Bar Charts Quickly compare one category to another.

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

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

7. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 7 Bar charts are useful for more complex comparisons.

8. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 8 Comparing Distributions: Males to Females

9. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 9 Comparing Divisions

10. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 10 Time Plots

11. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 11 Cumulative Time Plot

12. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 12 Box Plots To Summarize Large Amounts of Information

13. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 13 Part II. Statistical Thinking

14. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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?

15. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 15 Is there enough variation to warrant a chart?

16. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 16 Will the comparison make sense if charted?

17. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 17 Are the data interesting enough to chart?

18. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 18 Are the data precise enough to chart?

19. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 19 Is a chart the best way to display these data?

20. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 20 Part III. Effective Presentation of Data

21. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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.

22. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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”

23. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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?

24. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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

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

26. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 26 “Although we often hear that data speak for themselves, their voices can be soft and sly.” Mosteller, F. Beginning Statistics with Data Analysis. 1983.

27. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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

28. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 28 ‘Chart Junk’ and Lie Factor Good Presentation 1960: $1.00 1970: $1.60 1980: $3.10 1990: $3.80 Minimum Wage 0 2 4 1960197019801990 $ Bad Presentation Source: Anna Waggener

29. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 29 No Relative Basis Good Presentation A’s received by students. Bad Presentation 0  200 300 FRSOJRSR Freq.  10%  30% FRSOJRSR % Source: Anna Waggener

30. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 30 No Zero Point on Vertical Axis Good Presentation Monthly Expenses Bad Presentation 0 20 40 60 JFM A MJ $ 36 39 42 45 JFMAMJ $ Graphing the first six months of sales. Source: Anna Waggener

31. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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

32. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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

33. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 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.

34. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 34 Typical Powerpoint Default Chart

35. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 35

36. © 2004 Demographic Perspectives w www.dem-perspectives.com 36 For help or information, contact Rena Cheskis-Gold, (203) 397-1612 rena@dem-perspectives.com.