Research Methods: Graphic and Diagrammatic Presentation of Data

Research Methods: Graphic and Diagrammatic Presentation of Data

(Bar Diagrams, Pie-diagram, Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Smoothed Frequency Curved, and, Cumulative Frequency Curved or ‘Ogives’)

(According to the Syllabus: Sociology: University of Delhi)

Important points to be kept in mind while studying the article/ book/ study material. 

Pay attention to the usages of the graph and diagram in real life. Try to understand how those figures and shape of the graph and diagram has come out.

Expected outcome 

Students will be able to understand the real usage of the particular graph and diagram and how that figure and shape of the graph and diagram has come out. Students will be also able to demonstrate and use of graph and diagram in their writing. And at the end, students will understand the graph and diagram in a better way when they will read any piece of writing.

General Introduction 

We need a graphical presentation of data because too many figures often confusing and may fail to convey the message effectively to those for whom they are meant, especially to the common man and women of course.

One of the most convincing and appealing ways in which statistical result may be presented is through diagrams and graphs.

We can find these kinds of data in the daily newspapers to the journals especially to represent the economic data also the poetical data. But these have no limits. You may also find these kinds of data regarding current CORONA outbreak. You have seen these kinds of data during the last Lok Saba Election or the recently held Delhi Vidhan Sabha Election.

During Diwali season you have seen these graphs about the pollution level in Delhi.

There are numerous ways in which statistical data may be displayed pictorially such as different types of diagrams, graphs and maps.

Here the problem is that of selecting of best out of several methods of data presentation.

This is decided by the types of data, use of the data and consumer of the data. If the data is going to be published in the newspapers then it must be simple and easy to understand for most of the readers or we can say that it must be understandable for the common people so that it can serve the purpose to publish the data in the newspaper. However, if that data is going to publish in the research journal or in the university book then it may be more complicated because their use is expected to understand it.

Significance of Diagrams and Graphs

Diagram and graphs are extremely useful because of the following reasons:

1.0 Diagrams and Graphs facilitates:

1.1 They give a bird’s-eye view of the entire data and therefore, the information presented is easily understood.

1.2 It is a fact that as the number and magnitude of figures increase they become more confusing and their analysis tends to be more strenuous.

1.3 Therefore the pictorial presentation helps in the proper understanding of the data, as it gives an interesting form to the data.

1.4 The old saying ‘A picture is worth 10,000 words’ is very true. 

2.1 Figures are dry but diagrams delighted the eye. For this reason, diagrams create greater interest than cold figures. Diagrams have attractive values, therefore in the newspapers or in any article reader may skip the figures but they are paying attention in the diagram. 

2.2 Diagram and figure are frequently used in the presentation on different occasions, forms of writing, presentation and exhibition.

3.1 They have a great memorizing effect because diagrams have a longer impression than the data and figure.

4.1 Diagrams are facilitating the comparison of the data relating to different periods of time, region, and other variables. This is helping us to make quick and accurate compressions of the data.

4.2 Diagram and Graph bring out hidden facts and relationships and can stimulate as well as aid analytical thinking and investigation.

Comparison of Tabular and Diagrammatic Presentation

Data may present in three formats: Tables, Diagrams, and Graphs. These forms of data presentation have their own usefulness for particular purposes. Hence, we should choose the forms of data presentation with care. The following points may be keeps in view in this connection:

1. Table contains a precise figure where diagrams give only an approximate idea. The exact value can be read from a table.

2.  More information can be put into one table than one graph or diagram.

3. Tables usually required much closer reading and are more difficult to intemperate than diagrams.

4. Graphs and diagram have a visual appeal and, therefore, prove to be more impressive to the layman.

5. Charts have the advantage of showing trends and comparisons more vividly than the abstract figures in the table. More people are visual-minded and prefer graphs to figures.

Different Between Diagrams and Graphs

There is no clear cut distinction between the diagrams and graphs. However, we can say that these are the main distinction between these two.

1. One can say that graphs are made in the graph paper ad diagrams on plain paper. But this is not a clear distinction in the era of digital publications.

2.  Graphs represent the mathematical relationship and diagrams are not, but this is not necessary. 

3. Diagrams are more suitable for eyes or we can say that this is looking more attractive in presentation and publication. This is adding less meaning to the data. Therefore for mathematical and statistical presentation and stud, the graphs are more useful.

4. For representing frequency distributions and times, graphs are more appropriate than diagrams. In fact, for presenting frequency distribution diagrams are not at all used.

General Rules for Constructing Diagrams

The following general frequency distributions and times series, graphs are more appropriate than diagrams. In fact, for presenting frequency distribution diagrams are at all used.

1. Title: Every diagram must be given a suitable title. The title must be related to the subject. It may be above or below the diagrams.

2.  Proportion Between Width and High: A proper proportion between the height and the width of the diagram should be maintained. However, there is not any standard rule about this.

3.  Selection of Scale: The scale showing the values should be in even number or in multiples of five or ten eg. 5, 10, 15, 20, etc, or 10, 20, 30, etc. Odd values like 1, 3, 5, 7, etc should be avoided. However, if required than any other number can be used, there is no hard rule regarding this.

4. Footnote: in order to clarify certain points about the diagram, footnote may be given at the bottom of the diagram.

5. Index: An index illustrating different types of lines or different shades, colours, etc. should be given so that reader can easily make out the meaning of the diagram.

6.  Neatness and Cleanliness: Diagram should be absolutely neat and clean.

7. Simplicity: Diagrams should be as simple as possible so that the reader can understand their meaning clearly and easily. For this too much material should not be loaded in a single diagram, otherwise, it may become too confusing and prove worthless. Several simple charts are much better and more effective than one or two complex ones, which present the same material.

Anil Kumar, PhD Student of Social Sciences  

Anil Kumar | Student of Life World 
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