Chart- a chart (sometimes known as a graph) is
a graphical representation for data visualization, in which
"the data is represented by symbols, such as bars in a bar
chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a pie chart". A chart
can represent tabular numeric data, functions or some
kinds of quality structure and provides different info.
The term "chart" as a graphical representation of data has
multiple meanings:
A data chart is a type of diagram or graph, that
organizes and represents a set of numerical or
qualitative data.
Maps that are adorned with extra information (map
surround) for a specific purpose are often known as
charts, such as a nautical chart or aeronautical
chart, typically spread over several map sheets.
Other domain-specific constructs are sometimes
called charts, such as the chord chart in music
notation or a record chart for album popularity.
Charts are often used to ease understanding of large
quantities of data and the relationships between parts of
the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the
raw data. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and
can be created by hand (often on graph paper) or by
computer using a charting application. Certain types of
charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than
others. For example, data that presents percentages in
different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure")
are often displayed in a pie chart, but maybe more easily
understood when presented in a horizontal bar chart. On
the other hand, data that represents numbers that change
over a period of time (such as "annual revenue from 1990
to 2000") might be best shown as a line chart.
5 Examples of Charts:
1. Histogram- a histogram shows continuous data in
ordered rectangular columns (to understand what is
continuous data see our post discrete vs continuous
data). Usually, there are no gaps between the columns.
The histogram displays a frequency distribution (shape) of
a data set. At first glance, histograms look alike to bar
graphs. However, there is a key difference between
them. Bar Chart represents categorical data and
histogram represent continuous data.
Histogram Uses:
When the data is continuous.
When you want to represent the shape of the data’s
distribution.
When you want to see whether the outputs of two or
more processes are different.
To summarize large data sets graphically.
To communicate the data distribution quickly to
others.
Example:
The histogram below represents per capita income for five
age groups.
Histograms are very widely used in statistics, business,
and economics.
2.Bar Charts- a bar charts represent categorical data with
rectangular bars (to understand what is categorical data
see categorical data examples). Bar graphs are among the most
popular types of graphs and charts in economics, statistics,
marketing, and visualization in digital customer experience.
They are commonly used to compare several categories of data.
Each rectangular bar has length and height proportional to the
values that they represent.
One axis of the bar chart presents the categories being
compared. The other axis shows a measured value.
Bar Charts Uses:
When you want to display data that are grouped
into nominal or ordinal categories (see nominal vs ordinal
data).
To compare data among different categories.
Bar charts can also show large data changes over time.
Bar charts are ideal for visualizing the distribution of data
when we have more than three categories.
Example:
The bar chart below represents the total sum of sales for
Product A and Product B over three years.
The bars are 2 types: vertical or horizontal. It doesn’t
matter which kind you will use. The above one is a vertical
type.
3.Pie Chart- when it comes to statistical types of graphs
and charts, the pie chart (or the circle chart) has a crucial
place and meaning. It displays data and statistics in an
easy-to-understand ‘pie-slice’ format and illustrates
numerical proportion.
Each pie slice is relative to the size of a particular category
in a given group as a whole. To say it in another way, the
pie chart brakes down a group into smaller pieces.
It shows part-whole relationships.
To make a pie chart, you need a list of categorical
variables and numerical variables.
Pie Chart Uses:
When you want to create and represent the
composition of something.
It is very useful for displaying nominal or
ordinal categories of data.
To show percentage or proportional data.
When comparing areas of growth within a business
such as profit.
Pie charts work best for displaying data for 3 to
7 categories.
Example:
The pie chart below represents the proportion of types of
transportation used by 1000 students to go to their school.
Pie charts are widely used by data-driven marketers for
displaying marketing data.
4. Scatter Plot- the scatter plot is an X-Y diagram that
shows a relationship between two variables. It is used to
plot data points on a vertical and a horizontal axis. The
purpose is to show how much one variable affects
another.
Usually, when there is a relationship between 2 variables,
the first one is called independent. The second variable is
called dependent because its values depend on the first
variable.
Scatter plots also help you predict the behavior of one
variable (dependent) based on the measure of the other
variable (independent).
Scatter plot uses:
When trying to find out whether there is
a relationship between 2 variables.
To predict the behavior of dependent variable based
on the measure of the independent variable.
When having paired numerical data.
When working with root cause analysis tools to
identify the potential for problems.
When you just want to visualize the correlation
between 2 large datasets without regard to time.
Example:
The below Scatter plot presents data for 7 online stores,
their monthly e-commerce sales, and online advertising
costs for the last year.
The orange line you see in the plot is called “line of best
fit” or a “trend line”. This line is used to help us make
predictions that are based on past data.
The Scatter plots are used widely in data science and
statistics. They are a great tool for visualizing linear
regression models.
More examples and explanation for scatter plots you can
see in our post what does a scatter plot show and simple
linear regression examples.
5.Line Charts- a line chart or line graph, also known
as curve chart, is a type of chart which displays
information as a series of data points called 'markers'
connected by straight line segments. It is a basic type of
chart common in many fields. It is similar to a scatter
plot except that the measurement points are ordered
(typically by their x-axis value) and joined with straight line
segments. A line chart is often used to visualize a trend in
data over intervals of time a time series – thus the line is
often drawn chronologically. In these cases they are
known as run charts.
Uses of line graphs:
When you want to show trends. For example, how
house prices have increased over time.
When you want to make predictions based on a
data history over time.
When comparing two or more different variables,
situations, and information over a given period of
time.
Example:
The following line graph shows annual sales of a particular
business company for the period of six consecutive years:
Note: the above example is with 1 line. However, one line
chart can compare multiple trends by several distributing
lines.
