Week 10¶
Presenting Statistical Information¶
➤ This week we will look at ways to improve our tables and figures.
Before Class¶
Project Progress¶
👥 Meet with your group and make progress on the following questions about your project:
- Draft a table and a figure that you think illustrates an important preliminary descriptive finding.
Statistical Data Presentation¶
📖 Statistical Data Presentation (22 minutes)
Improving Graphs & Figures¶
📖 How to Graph Badly or What Not To Do (30 minutes)
- Section 1.3 discusses Wainer’s Rules for Bad Graphs. Find an example of a "bad graph" (e.g., https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisugly/) and explain which of Wainer's rules it violates. Bring this example to the synchronous class section.
- “Rudiments of Numeracy” lists six rules to follow when producing graphs and tables. Rule 6 concerns whether to produce a graph vs. a table. Consider the analyses you have performed thus far. For each, is it better to present them via text, a graph, or a table? Why?
The "Lie" Factor¶
📖 The Lie Factor and Baseline Paradox (6 minutes)
📖 The Lie Factor Definition (2 minutes)
- Find an example of a graph that appears to have some level of the "lie factor" (again, e.g., https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisugly/). Bring this example to the synchronous class section and compute the extent of the lie factor.
Supplemental Readings¶
📖 How to Design Terrible Graphs
In Class¶
In week's class we will discuss how to improve graphs and tables.
Reflection¶
When you think of the types of analyses you will be performing, what criteria do you use to determine whether you want to convey the results in a graph vs. a table?