Below is a data set with 4 groupings of data and 2 columns for each grouping. The summary statistics–mean, variance, correlation, sum of squares, r², and linear regression line are the same for all 4 groupings of X and Y values. If we stopped our analysis here we could move forward confidently knowing that the …
Do you know the simplest, yet most overlooked lesson of Business Intelligence? Read More »
The Business Intelligence Guru has two simple rules to help prevent you from making bad bar charts. First, always start with a zero baseline. Second, never use 3D. Read on and watch as I convert a bar chart on the left into a clear, concise, honest and insightful line chart.
The Business Intelligence Guru has two simple rules to help prevent you from making bad bar charts. First, always start with a zero baseline. Second, never use 3D. Read on and watch as I convert a bar chart on the left into a clear, concise, honest and insightful line chart.
As an info viz junkie I was excited to see McDonalds using incell bar charts on their food wrappers. I’ve attached an image of one off of a cheeseburger wrapper.
As a Stephen Few fan, however, I know that a key ingredient to high quality info viz is simplicity–it’s got to be easy to understand. To that end, what in the world does the dashed vertical line spanning calories through sodium represent? It looks like it’s set to 33%, but why? Is that some magic number in the world of nutrition? Is 33% “crossing the line” for a single item on their menu? There’s ample room for an explanation of the reference line on the wrapper, but none is provided.
As an info viz junkie I was excited to see McDonalds using incell bar charts on their food wrappers. I’ve attached an image of one off of a cheeseburger wrapper.
As a Stephen Few fan, however, I know that a key ingredient to high quality info viz is simplicity–it’s got to be easy to understand. To that end, what in the world does the dashed vertical line spanning calories through sodium represent? It looks like it’s set to 33%, but why? Is that some magic number in the world of nutrition? Is 33% “crossing the line” for a single item on their menu? There’s ample room for an explanation of the reference line on the wrapper, but none is provided.
Thanks for visiting my website. Here you will find my work in the field of Business Intelligence as well as a blog about BI with a focus on information visualization. –John
