Graphs and Charts

Question 1

What is a scatter graph?

Answer 1

Many different points plotted on a graph. Points are not joined. A line of best fit is used to show the overall pattern.

Question 2

When should you use a scatter graph?

Answer 2

To show the relationship between two continuous variables.

Question 3

What are the strength of scatter graphs?

Answer 3

Can show a relationship between two continuous variables.
Gives exact data.
Shows max/min/anomalies.

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of scatter graphs?

Answer 4

Need to use a statistical test to identify the strength of a relationship
Only shows the relationship between two variable / continuous data.

Question 5

When should you use a pie chart?

Answer 5

To show data that is percentages of a whole. (Should add up to 100%)

Question 6

What is the strength of pie charts?

Answer 6

Shows percentage total for each category.

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of pie charts?

Answer 7

No exact numerical data - so don’t know the total.

Only discrete data.

Question 8

What is a bar chart?

Answer 8

Column drawn for each category. Columns/bars should not be touching. Sometimes it’s called a block graph.

Question 9

When should you use a bar chart?

Answer 9

Show discrete data on the X axis and absolute numbers of the Y.

Question 10

What are the strengths of bar charts?

Answer 10

Shows discrete data. Shows and can compare multiple categories. Can show a large data set.

Question 11

What are the weaknesses of bar charts?

Answer 11

Doesn’t show relationships between categories.

Only shows discrete data.

Question 12

What is a line graph?

Answer 12

Graph showing continuous data, all data points are joined with a line.

Question 13

When should you use a line graph?

Answer 13

To show continuous data - for example, change over time.

Question 14

What are the strengths of line graphs?

Answer 14

Show anomalies and range.
Can read exact numbers.
Show change over time so can predict what will happen in the future.
Can compare multiple data sets.

Question 15

What is the weakness of line graphs?

Answer 15

Only shows continuous data.

Question 16

When should you use a kite diagram?

Answer 16

To show density and distribution along a transect (over distance).

Question 17

What are the strengths of kite diagrams?

Answer 17

Shows changes over distance.
Easy to make comparisons.
Can show % data.
Can read exact data.

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of kite diagrams?

Answer 18

Few data types e.g. vegetation cover.
Only a small number of variables.
Assumptions made about the presence of absence of species between measured points.

Question 19

What are pictograms?

Answer 19

Uses a symbol to show the quantity of data. A key must be used to explain the symbol.

Question 20

What is a radial diagram?

Answer 20

Data radiatas outwards from a
central point. Data is plotted at points on the
line which are joined or segments. Every
variable uses the same scale.

Question 21

When should you use a radial diagram?

Answer 21

To show the
relationship of continuous variables to a
central point.

Question 22

What are the strengths of radial diagrams?

Answer 22

Show relationship of many variables
to a central point.
Can show direction (compass points)
Can compare different subjects easily
- overlap polygons.
Shows data trends-(high/low/outlier).

Question 23

What are the weaknesses of radial diagrams?

Answer 23

Limited data applies.
Difficult to read exact data if overlaps
Difficult to find a suitable scale when
data has a wide range of values.

Question 24

When should you use pictograms?

Answer 24

To show data visually.

Question 25

What is the strength of pictograms?

Answer 25

Easy to read/visual.

Question 26

What are the weaknesses of pictograms?

Answer 26

Partial symbols may be unclear.
All symbols must be of the same size.
Simplistic.