Effect of Changing Plot's Aspect Ratio on Data Representation

The aspect ratio of a plot refers to the ratio of the width to the height of the plotting area. It is a crucial parameter in data visualization as it determines the shape and proportions of the plot which directly affects how the data is visually represented.

For example in a square plot the aspect ratio would be 1:1 which means the width is equal to the height. In contras if the width is twice the height then the aspect ratio would be 2:1 and the plot would be wider horizontally. The below are the effects of changing the plot's aspect ratio. Let's explore one by one in detail.

Increasing Aspect Ratio

When the aspect ratio is increased then the width of the plot becomes relatively larger compared to its height. This results in a wider and more horizontal plot. The main effects of increasing the aspect ratio are as follows

Data Compression

When the aspect ratio is increased then the data points along the horizontal axis get compressed. This can cause data points to overlap and making it harder to distinguish individual data points, especially in scatter plots and line plots.

Linearity Emphasis

Increased aspect ratio can visually exaggerate linear relationships between variables. For instance in a scatter plot data points aligned along a straight line might appear more pronounced and may lead to the perception of stronger correlation.

Smoothing Trends

Increasing the aspect ratio can visually smooth out trends in line plots or time series data. This effect can help viewers identify general patterns or trends more easily.

Distortion in 3D Plots

In 3D plots increasing the aspect ratio can cause distortion, especially if the vertical and horizontal scales have different units. This can lead to misleading visualizations and inaccurate interpretations.

Wider Confidence Intervals

In bar plots or error bars increasing the aspect ratio can visually widen the confidence intervals making uncertainty more apparent.

Decreasing Aspect Ratio

When the aspect ratio is decreased then the height of the plot becomes relatively larger compared to its width. This results in a taller and more vertical plot. The primary effects of decreasing the aspect ratio are as follows

Data Expansion

With a decreased aspect ratio, the data points along the horizontal axis get expanded. This can help spread out the data and make individual data points more distinguishable in improving clarity in scatter plots and line plots.

Non-Linearity Emphasis

Decreased aspect ratio can visually emphasize non-linear relationships between variables. Points that deviate from a linear pattern might appear more pronounced and could lead to the perception of stronger non-linear correlations.

De-emphasize Smooth Trends

Decreasing the aspect ratio can visually de-emphasize smooth trends in line plots or time series data. This effect can make it harder to identify general patterns but may highlight local variations.

Expanding 3D Plots

In 3D plots decreasing the aspect ratio can expand the plot vertically which might be useful to emphasize the height of the data or improve readability in certain scenarios.

Taller Confidence Intervals

In bar plots or error bars decreasing the aspect ratio can visually narrow the confidence intervals making uncertainty less apparent.

Appropriate Aspect Ratio

Selecting the appropriate aspect ratio depends on the type of data and the message we want to convey to the target audience. For example,

• For time series data or line plots are slightly taller aspect ratio might be preferred to emphasize trends.

• For scatter plots a balanced aspect ratio that does not overly compress or expand the data points is generally recommended for better visibility.

• For bar plots error bars, or box plots have a slightly wider aspect ratio might be suitable to clearly display categorical data.

It's essential to consider the context of the data and the purpose of the visualization. In some cases the aspect ratio close to 1:1 which may be appropriate to avoid distorting the data while in others, a moderate increase or decrease in aspect ratio might be preferred to emphasize specific patterns.

Finally we can conclude changing the plot's aspect ratio can significantly influence how data is perceived and interpreted. The effects of increasing or decreasing the aspect ratio should be carefully considered based on the nature of the data, the type of plot, and the message we want to convey. Striking the right balance in aspect ratio can lead to more effective data visualizations that accurately represent the underlying information and facilitate better insights for the viewer.