Is that graph necessary?
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Another way to look at the data
In yesterday’s post about making useful graphs, I was able to rework a graph that was attractive and clever, but not informative, into a graph that was informative, but necessarily attractive and clever.
At the end of that post I mentioned that a superior way exists to present that data, and today I’ll tell you what it is. First, a summary of the data:
| Age group | Death rate |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | 3.5 |
| 5–14 | 0.8 |
| 15–24 | 0.6 |
| 25–44 | 0.8 |
| 45–64 | 1.4 |
| 65–74 | 2.7 |
| 75+ | 5.6 |
The superior presentation
Okay, go back and look at the table. Do you see how the values are clearly laid out and easily compared? Easy to follow and understand, right?
That table is the superior presentation of this data.
Not all data needs to be graphed.
The point behind a graph is to provide a clear view of data sets to help find meaning that might otherwise be lost in row after row of data. And when you’re dealing with hundreds or thousands (or, heck, even dozens) of data points, a graph can be a big help.
But here, we’re not. We’re dealing with seven.
For seven points, just use a table.
Save time (and money) by avoiding unnecessary graphs
The graph that started all this off clearly took some effort to make. The matchbook and matches all had to be drawn, the data had to be fit in. Colors and backgrounds had to be tweaked to have an attractive appearance. The data bars had to be adjusted to look nice. Yes, someone worked hard to present that information badly. And they were paid good money to do it.
Don’t use graphs just to have a graph. If your data set is small, save time and money and just present the data in a table.
“But Matt, I’m a very visual person and my audience has a lot of really visual people and I really really really need to have graphs for even small data sets.”
Well, okay then. If you really want to put in a graph, there’s a pretty quick and easy way to do that in Excel that I’ll tell you about next time. And I’ll try to find a cheerier data set!
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Hi Matt,
I think people view graphs as more authoritative, and that’s why they want to see one. Sometimes the data just doesn’t present well in a graph, like you mention. It’s all about the best way to portray information.