Visualization Flashcards
(26 cards)
Charts
Timelines
Infographics
What are the three most common visualization techniques
Tableau MS-Excel Tiki-Toki Gapminder D3.js chart.js
What are some well known tools for visualization
Column graphs, Bar graphs, Pie chart, Linear charts Scatter Plots
For COMPARING VALUES and show LOWS and HIGHS in value sets
Pie chart,
Stacked Bar/ Stacked Column
Waterfall,
Area,
Show COMPOSITION
or how individual parts make a whole (device PER visitors, sales BY sales rep)
Scatter Plot,
Linear graph,
Column graph /Bar graph
Show DISTRIBUTION of data
TENDENCIES, OUTLIERS, RANGES
Linear graph,
Dual-Axis Line,
Bar graphs
Show TIME PERIOD trends
Scatter Plots,
Bubble chart,
Linear graph
Show RELATIONSHIPS between sets
POSITIVE or NEGATIVE effects between variables
Why are Column graphs primarily used: (vertical stick)
Show COMPARISON among different items or comparison over time
Why are Bar graphs primarily used: (horizontal stick)
COMPARISONS,
& to AVOID CLUTTER if we have more that 10 items to compare or if one label is particularly long.
Also good to display NEGATIVE NUMBERS
Why are Linear graphs primarily used: (connected dots)
To reveal TRENDS or PROGRESS over time.
Use when charting a continuous data set
Design best practices for Line graphs:
Do not plot more than 4 lines to avoid visual distractions
Use solid lines only
Use the right height (scale) so the lines take roughly 2/3rds of the Y-Axis’ height
Why are Dual-Axis graphs primarily used:
CORRELATION (or lack of) between data sets
Allow to chart using two Y-Axis sharing a same X-Axis
Design best practices for Dual-Axis graphs:
Use different graphing styles to illustrate two data sets (ex:one Column, one Linear)
Y-Axis on the left side
Contrasting colors
Why are Area graphs primarily used:
Is used to show ‘Part-to-Whole” relations
Helps analyze overall AND individual TREND information
Is basically a Line chart where the space between Line and X-Axis is filled with a color
Design best practices for Area graphs:
Do not display more than four categories to avoid clutter
Highly variable variable data at the top makes it easier to read
Use transparent colors
Why are Stacked Bars charts primarily used:
To show COMPARISON of different items, and their COMPOSITION as “part-to-whole” relationships
Design best practices for Stacked Bars charts:
Make scale large enough for group sizes
Contrasting colors
Why are Heat Maps primarily used:
Show RELATIONSHIPS between two items and
for RATING information (High to low, poor to excellent)
Design best practices for Heat Maps:
Use a single color in various shades
Avoid multiple patterns
Basic and clear map outline
Why are Bubble charts primarily used:
Show the DISTRIBUTION or RELATIONSHIPS between different variables
Similar to Scatter Plot
Design best practices for Bubble charts:
Two datasets (X & Y) plus a third is the size of the Bubbles Make clear and visible labels
Why are Scatter Plots primarily used:
Shows the RELATIONSHIP between variables or
Reveals DISTRIBUTION TRENDS
Should be used when there are many different data points and we want to highlight similarities
Useful when looking for OUTLIERS
Design best practices for Scatter Plots:
Include more variables - such as different sizes - to incorporate more data
When using trend lines, use a maximum of two - for easier understanding
Why are Pie charts primarily used:
Shows a static number of how categories represent PARTS OF A WHOLE
COMPOSITION of something
Represents NUMBERS IN PERCENTAGE and must total to 100%
