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How to Avoid Common Graphical Mistakes RIMS Philadelphia, PA 18 April, 2012 Copyright © 2012, Naomi B. Robbins
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Visual Analysis: The Value of Graphics for Risk Communications - RMG211
Spring Training: Correcting Common Mistakes
Regular Season: Cutting Costs/Become a Hero
Post Season: Raising your Batting Average
Visual Analysis: The Value of Graphics for Risk Communications - RMG2111
Richard Denning President, Shelter Island Risk Services
Phone: (631) 749-1535 e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.shelterislandrisk.com/
Libby Christman Vice President of Risk Management, Ahold USA
Phone: (717) 240 - 5573 e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.Ahold.com/
Naomi RobinsConsultant and seminar leader on effective data presentationPrincipal, NBR
Phone: (973) 694 - 6009 e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.NBR-Graphs.com/
How to Avoid Common Graphical Mistakes
RIMSPhiladelphia, PA18 April, 2012Copyright © 2012, Naomi B. Robbins
Graphical Mistakes
• Not making the data stand out
• Misleading the audience
• Problems with tick marks and labels
Make the data stand out.Factors that keep data from standing out:• Clutter
– Too many percent signs– Too many trailing zeros– Unnecessary dimensions
• Lack of contrast for model or data• Graphical elements that hide data• Colors that not all can distinguish
Before and After
Too many dollar signs and percent signs
Unnecessary 3D effect
Lack of Contrast
Do you notice the point on the x axis?
Data and axis labels conflict
Avoid color combinations that not all can distinguish.
Simulation from www.vischeck.com
Red and green can cause problems.
How some see last slide
Avoid misleading the audience
• Equally spaced tick marks for unequal intervals
• Comparisons with different scales
• Bar graphs with no zero
• Figure not to scale
• Difference between curves
Data with uneven intervals
Data with even intervals
Comparison
Unequal intervals
Actuarial: Time handled correctly
Inconsistent Use of Color
Bar Graph with No Zero
Not drawn to scale
Draw the data to scale.
Number of police officers redrawnNumber of Police Officers by County 1997
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Salem
Warren
Hunterdon
Sussex
Cumberland
Cape May
Glousester
Somerset
Burlington
Atlantic
Mercer
Ocean
Morris
Passaic
Camden
Monmouth
Union
Middlesex
Hudson
Bergen
Essex
Difference between Curves
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
x
01
23
45
y
Problems with tick marks and labels
• Too many labels
• Labels hard to read
• Tick marks not at round numbers
• Uneven number of decimal places
• Labels not proofread
Too many labels
No legend outside of text
Proofread Graphs
Linked Micro-mapsVisualizing Data Patterns withMicromaps
by Dan Carr and Linda Pickle
