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Pitfalls of data visualization

Pitfalls of Data visualization

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Siva Kumar
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5 views

Pitfalls of data visualization

Pitfalls of Data visualization

Uploaded by

Siva Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pitfalls of Data visualization

“Data visualization is the language of decision making. Good charts effectively


convey information. Great charts enable, inform, and improve decision making.”

In most cases, poorly constructed visualizations are more


confusing than helpful. The following are signs of bad data
visualization:

#Hiding the relevant data


#Presenting too much data
#Distorting the presentation of data (altering something out of its original state)
#Describing the data inaccurately.
#Visualization that confuses your audiences
10 common data visualization mistakes and how to avoid them

Here are typical mistakes that result in poor data visualization. Try to avoid these to get the
most out of your data visualizations.

1.Misleading color contrast


2.Overwhelming charts with too much data
3.Omitting baseline and truncating scale
4.Biased text modifications
5.Choosing the wrong visualization method
6.Correlations without causations
7.Zooming on favourable data
8.Improper use of 3D graphics
1. Misleading colour contrast
Although using various colors aids in interpreting data visualizations, too much color can
confuse the user. It’s crucial to stick to a limited number of unique colors.
2.Overwhelming charts with too much data

There’s nothing wrong with having a lot of data to offer you more depth, but having too much
data to show it all at once might cause the audience to get overwhelmed.

Impact of this type of visualization


*The user is unable to understand all of the visualization details.
*The user has no idea where to focus their attention.
*It will be hard to decipher the message in a short amount of time.
3.Omitting baseline and truncating scale

Manipulating the scale or axes to exaggerate or downplay differences can


mislead viewers.
4.Biased text modifications

In data visualization, not only does the chart itself communicate with the audience, but the title, label,
notation, and description also aid users in comprehending the message.

This graph, for example, depicts the percentage of children that suffer from orthopedic injuries. If
the user reads the headline without reading the description, they may believe that 5.2% of normal
children suffer from spinal cord damage, resulting in serious misunderstandings.
5.Choosing the wrong visualization method
Choosing the appropriate visualization to represent your data is a critical step in data
visualization. Several charts may be appropriate for displaying your data, but how do you choose
the best one?
6.Correlations without causations(cause)
In data visualization, it's crucial to distinguish between correlation and causation to avoid misleading
interpretations.
Correlation vs. Causation:
Correlation refers to a statistical relationship between two variables. When two variables are correlated,
they tend to move together, but this doesn’t imply that one variable causes the change in the other.
Causation means that a change in one variable directly causes a change in another.
Types of Correlation:
Positive Correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases.
Negative Correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.
No Correlation: No discernible pattern between the variables.
7.Zooming on favourable data

There is a technique called ‘Cherry Picking.’ It’s a way of selectively displaying data that supports your
point of view while ignoring evidence that contradicts it. Only little insight from actual data will be shown
in the visualization.

This type of visualization hides important data, giving our users just a little insight.

Compare and contrast a zoomed-in visualization with full visuals


8.Improper use of 3D graphics
Using 3D graphics in data visualization can be tempting because they often look impressive and
can seem more engaging. However, improper use of 3D graphics can lead to confusion and
misinterpretation

Most 3D charts are no longer often used to show common data because they have a significant
risk of misrepresenting data since our human eye has difficulty interpreting 3D visuals.

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