Pros and Cons of Graphical Presentations 

Observational studies attempt to comprehend cause and effect relationships by observing and measuring specific characteristics; without trying to modify or change the subjects being studied. Graphic representations represent numerical data in the form of a quantitative structure and is the best means for presenting data for quick visualization of relationships. Described below are a list of graphical presentations with picture illustrations, and some of their known pros and cons.

TYPES PICTURES DESCRIPTION PROS and CONS

Frequency Table The frequency of a data value is the number of times the data value occurs.

Frequency tables are constructed with data values listed with their corresponding frequencies.

Frequency tables should be used for small datasets and they show quantitative data which can either be continuous or discrete. They are usually arranged in order and differences between data values can be found which makes them an interval level of measurement.

Pros

Can quickly reveal outliers and even significant trends within a data set
Less work and fewer costs
Quickly summarizes a large distribution of values in a sample and allows for comparison between data sets of the same types.
Precise

Cons

For complex datasets, it can be hard to interpret or see tends.
Lumping scores together, thus losing some of the information in the original scores.

Frequency Polygons Frequency polygons are a graphical device for understanding the shapes of distributions.

They serve the same purpose as histograms but are especially helpful for comparing sets of data.

They are used for quantitative continuous data with interval or ratio scales of measurement.

Pros

Useful for comparing distributions especially for people who are illiterate.
It is also possible to plot two cumulative frequency distributions in the same graph.
They help greatly to show the 'shapes' of distributions

Cons

Can be time consuming to construct

Bar Graph When numerical data is presented as columns on a graph this graphical representation of data is called Bar graph or Column graph.

Should be used for comparison between discrete categories eg patients with asthma by cities.

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A graphic technique used to display frequency distributions of nominal or ordinal data that fall into categories Pros

We can easily compare two or three sets of data.

Cons

Sometimes numerical values of items may be so large that it may not be possible to represent them by exact lengths of a column.
Reordering the bars can change interpretation.

Histogram A histogram is pictorial representation of the grouped data in the form of rectangles. There is no gap in each rectangle. Each base of the rectangles represents the class interval and whose heights correspond to frequencies. This graphic technique is used to display the frequency distribution of continuous data (interval or ratio data) as either numbers or percentages in a series of bars.

Used to display frequency distributions for continuous numerical data. they're created from frequency distribution tables.

Pros

Shows continuity of data categories

Cons

Data is grouped so unable to see individual data

Pie Graph Proportions of a category are displayed as part of a circle. As the data represented are in the form of sectors, it shows the categories percentage of the whole or total. It should be used for 3-7 categories only. Pie charts are used to represent nominal or ordinal data. Pros

Simple and quick to show proportions
We can easily compare the data using the size of the sector.
We can compare each sector with the total amount easily.

Cons

A pie chart should not be used if there are too many items to display as it will look clustered and confusing.

Pictogram A graphic technique in which frequency of data is represented by using pictures or small images. Pros

An attractive alternative to a bar graph in that it uses pictures to show frequency of data

Cons

For each data drawing of images or pictures is not possible. eg Population of different cities
Often misleading

Pareto Graph Pareto graph is a type of chart that contains both bars and a line graph, where individual values are represented in descending order by bars, and the cumulative total is represented by the line. Pros

Quickly highlights most important data
Excel automatically builds histogram and adds Pareto line which saves time

Cons

Less common chart type may be difficult to read for many people
Less customizable than standard combo charts

 

Conclusion

There are multiple types of graphical data presentations, but choosing which type of graph to create, requires that you first determine the level of measurement. The graphs chosen should be as accurate a representation as possible, of the original data. Graphs should also be visually appealing, not confusing, and have little or no room for misinterpretations. A well-designed graphical presentation can effectively communicate the data's message in a language readily understood by almost everyone.

References

  • https://www.statisticshowto.com/frequency-polygon/
  • https://www.statisticshowto.com/probability-and-statistics/
  • https://www.statisticshowto.com/probability-and-statistics/descriptive-statistics/histogram-make-chart/
  • https://www.statisticshowto.com/probability-distribution-function/
Updated: Sep 26, 2024
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Pros and Cons of Graphical Presentations . (2022, Sep 10). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/pros-and-cons-of-graphical-presentations-essay

Pros and Cons of Graphical Presentations  essay
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