Using Graphical Data
Author: | Unknown Author (Brunal University / LearnHigher) |
Description: | An introduction to the effective use of graphical data |
Estimated activity time: | 15 minutes |
Type of media: | Webpage |
Licence: | Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0(This resource can be freely repurposed and reused) |
Category: | Numeracy, Maths and Statistics Report Writing |
Tags: |
Study guide |
Date: | This information/resource was last updated in . |
USING GRAPHICAL DATA
This post was originally added to Learnhigher on:
Sometimes words aren't the most effective way to communicate. Using graphs, tables and charts can help your reader to get a clearer picture of your research findings and how they compare with other data. Using drawings, diagrams and photographs can clearly present information that would be difficult to explain in words. This page includes advice on when and how to use graphical information.
- Common forms of graphical information
- When to use graphs, tables and charts
- Layout, labelling and referring to figures
- Using drawings, diagrams and photographs
Common forms of graphical information
Tables are useful when you need to present a quantity of numerical data in an accessible format and you need to show exact numbers. | ![]() |
Line graphs are especially effective at showing trends (how data changes over time) and relationships (how two variables interact). | ![]() |
Bar charts/graphs are good when you want to compare discrete items. The bars can be vertical or horizontal. Making them different colours can help the reader to differentiate each result. | ![]() |
Pie charts show the proportion of the whole that is taken by various parts. | ![]() |
Drawings and diagrams can be used to reinforce or supplement textual information, or where something is more clearly shown in diagrammatic form. | ![]() |
Photographs can be useful as illustrations that help to explain what is being discussed in the text. |
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