| Lesson #2:
In this lesson we will learn about the different types
of charts and graphs there are and their advantages and
disadvantages. |
|
The main topics of lesson #2 are:
- Pie Charts
- Exploded Pie Charts
- Three Dimensional Pie Charts
- Column/Bar Charts
- Line Charts
- Combination Charts
- Simplicity of the Message
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| Lesson #2:
What are some
different types of charts that are available to you?
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| Topic
# 1 |
Pie
Charts |
|
 |
Definition: A pie chart presents
information in proportions, out of a 100 or as
part of a whole. The values are usually given in
percentages (%).
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Advantages: Pie charts have several
advantages to them. They are both an
informative way to depict proportional
statistical information and allow for easy
comparisons. |
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| Disadvantages: These would be
that they can only depict up to 8 slices without
causing confusion. Anymore that that could
mislead readers and not convey the message you are
trying to get across. Also, categories that
represent less than 5% of the whole cannot be
easily distinguished in the graph. |
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| Topic
# 2 |
Exploded
Pie Charts |
 |
| Definition:
There really isn’t a big difference between a
pie chart and an exploded pie chart. An exploded
pie chart’s slices are separated to show
more emphasis on each slice.
|
Advantages: The emphasis
placed on information, therefore it allows to
convey the idea, or the goal much more
effectively.
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Disadvantages:
The
fact that too much emphasis can be misleading
and distracting is a small disadvantage.
|
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| Topic
# 3 |
Three
Dimensional Pie Charts |
 |
Definition:
A 3
dimensional pie chart is simply displayed in
3-D form. You can see the profile of the chart
for a better visual effect!
|
Advantages:
The
visual effect of the chart makes the
presentation look better, more attractive. It
dramatically helps to emphasize the data.
|
|
Disadvantages:
Too much of “cool” graphics may distract
the reader from understanding the information
which the presenter is trying to convey.
|
|
|
| Topic
# 4 |
Column/Bar
Charts |
 |
|
Definition:
Column and Bar charts are used to present
information in real numbers. Such as 20 dogs, 15
chips, 10 bicycles, etc.
|
Advantages:
It shows exact quantities in real numbers, so
you don’t have to convert percentages into
number as with pie charts. Thus, the
information is much more distinct and obvious.
|
Disadvantages:
If the category labels are too long, they may
not fit completely on the x-axis without
making it too crowded.
The range of the y-axis numbers and the
inexactitude of bars make it difficult to
determine the exact value.
|
|
Advantages:
Bar charts help in making the categories stand
out from one another, therefore making it easier
to compare each category. It allows for more
space in labeling the axis.
|
|
Disadvantages:
The
problem with placing
category labels on the
y-axis is that humans
are more used to
interpreting numbers on
the y-axis. Therefore,
it takes away the
attention from the
actual numbers, and may
confuse the reader. |
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|
| Topic
# 5 |
Line
Charts |
 |
Definition:
All of you have seen a line chart at some
point in your life, maybe even everyday! It
plots points and then connects them with a
line.
|
|
Advantages:
The lines are continuous and that is a benefit
when dealing with data derived from time. It
also allows for easy comparisons between
different lines.
|
Disadvantages:
Having multiple lines in the same chart
can prove to be a bit confusing to an
inexperienced interpreter. It is also
difficult to plot data that is not continuous
on these types of graphs.
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| Topic # 6 |
Combination Charts |
 |
Definition:
The name of the chart practically speaks for
itself. It presents two or more different
types of graphs at the same time on the same
plane.
|
Advantages:
It
displays various sets of data at the same
time, allowing for complex comparisons to be
made. And
it allows for different scales to be used for
different data.
|
| Disadvantages:
Too
much complicated, strange data may confuse the
reader and it also makes it difficult the
emphasize the main point of the graph display.
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| Topic # 7 |
Simplicity of the Message |
 |
dDefinition:
nIn
order to convey the message clearly, keep the
graph/chart as simple as possible.
n
nAs
simple as it may be, the chart will be most
effective if everyone can understand it
n
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Lesson Review |
In
this lesson you learned:
- To identify different types of charts by their definition, the advantages and the
disadvantages of each type: Pie charts, Exploded Pie Charts,
Three Dimensional Pie Charts, Column/Bar Charts, Line Charts,
Combination Charts
- The importance of being clear and
straighforward
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|
back to lesson #1
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continue to
lesson #3  |
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Back to
Lessons |
: Lesson #2