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Misleading graphs are often used in false advertising. One of the first authors to write about misleading graphs was Darrell Huff, publisher of the 1954 book How to Lie with Statistics. The field of data visualization describes ways to present information that avoids creating misleading graphs.
One usable definition is: "Misuse of Statistics: Using numbers in such a manner that – either by intent or through ignorance or carelessness – the conclusions are unjustified or incorrect." [1] The "numbers" include misleading graphics discussed in other sources. The term is not commonly encountered in statistics texts and there is no ...
For example, by truncating the bottom of a line or bar chart so that differences seem larger than they are. Or, by representing one-dimensional quantities on a pictogram by two- or three-dimensional objects to compare their sizes so that the reader forgets that the images do not scale the same way the quantities do.
A graph or chart or diagram is a diagrammatical illustration of a set of data. If the graph is uploaded as an image file, it can be placed within articles just like any other image. Graphs must be accurate and convey information efficiently. They should be viewable at different computer screen resolutions.
List of basic statistics topics – redirects to Outline of statistics; List of convolutions of probability distributions; List of graphical methods; List of information graphics software; List of probability topics; List of random number generators; List of scientific journals in statistics; List of statistical packages; List of statisticians ...
An example of a chart containing gratuitous chartjunk. This chart uses a large area and much "ink" (many symbols and lines) to show only five hard-to-read numbers, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. Chartjunk consists of all visual elements in charts and graphs that are not necessary to comprehend the information represented on the graph, or that distract the ...
Manipulation of the graph's X-axis can also mislead; see the graph to the right. Both graphs are technically accurate depictions of the data they depict, and do use 0 as the base value of the Y-axis; but the rightmost graph only shows the "trough"; so it would be misleading to claim it depicts typical data over that time period.
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