Lecture 4: Visualization Principles II

Question 1

What are Tufte’s Design Principles?

Answer 1

Clear, detailed, and thorough labeling and appropriate scales
Size of the graphic effect should be directly proportional to the numerical quantities
‣ “lie factor”
Maximize data-ink ratio
Avoid chart junk

Question 2

What is the Lie Factor?

Answer 2

Size of effect shown in graphic
/
Size of effect in data

Question 3

What is the Data Ink Ratio?

Answer 3

Data ink
/
Total ink used in graphic

Question 4

Define Chart Junk?

Answer 4

Extraneous visual elements that distract from the message

Question 5

When to use a bar chart?

Answer 5

For comparing categorical attributes

Question 6

When to use a line chart?

Answer 6

For showing trends over time

Question 7

When to use a scatterplot?

Answer 7

Two quantitative attributes

Question 8

What are some solutions to overplotting?

Answer 8

‣ Decrease opacity
‣ Change scale
‣ Increase screen size/resolution
‣ Sample data

Question 9

When to use a stacked area chart?

Answer 9

comparison over time

Question 10

When are box plots appropriate?

Answer 10

Box plots should be used to represent the characteristics of a distribution.