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Data Visualization & Storytelling Part_4: How to read a chart?

In continuation to my previous post on #datavizualization

📌When it comes to reading a chart, it’s not only the actual chart but also the other supporting elements such as titles, subtitles, legends, scales, sources, etc. that makes a chart complete.

✍It’s critical to read them carefully to grasp what the chart is about, what is being measured, and how it’s being measured. Alberto Cario, in his book, suggests that to read a chart well, you must focus on:

The features that surround the content and support it —>the chart’s scaffolding—and

on the content itself —> how the data is represented or encoded. The scaffolding consists of features of the chart.

⚡If you struggle to read a chart or think of a suitable chart, you must spend some time developing graph literacy. Basically, you need to learn about visual encoding of the charts.

✍🏻For example, many times after getting some clarity on first step (selecting appropriate charts), learners are aware that they need to create stacked/grouped bar charts while plotting the distribution of two categorical variables.

When I ask them to write ggplot2 (I hope you’re familiar. If not, still you’ll get the context) code for the same, they put one variable on x-axis & other on y-axis. 🤦🏻‍♀‍

And of course, it will not work! (🛑 Pause reading & think WHY)

I hope you got it. It's not about the code but your understanding of chart elements 😃 .

👉 In a bar chart, the height/length of the rectangular bars basically represents counts/proportions/percentages.

👉 So one of the axes (usually the y-axis) has to have the counts, while the other axis will represent one of the categorical variables.

👉 As you’re planning to plot 2 categorical variables, you’ll either stack or group the categories of that second variable. Refer Image below 👇

Don’t forget to check the comment section for an awesome book to help you.

@ Starbucks

me: hot chocolate, please.

barista: oh it’s perfect for a day like this isn’t it?

me: yes =)

barista: not a coffee drinker are you?

me: try something difference.

[3 minutes later]

barista: tall hot chocolate! have a great day.

me: thank you.

I’m not like other girls!XD

I only have guy friends. I mean all girls do is start drama.

Oh my god, i hate sluts!

Other girls my age like to drink and party but i like to stay inside and read or watch netflix! I’m so weird.

All the girls in my school care about is makeup and shopping and all i care about is FOOD and VIDEO GAMES. lol sometimes i think i was born a guy.