Data Visualization and Representation
Visualization: Visualization is any technique for creating images, diagrams or animation to
communicate a message. Visualization today has, ever-expanding application in science,
education, engineering, interactive multimedia, medicine, etc. The use of visualization to present
information is not a new phenomenon. It has been used in maps, scientific drawing and data plots
for over a thousand years. Visualization through visual imagery has been an effective way to
communicate both abstract and concrete ideas. Historical cave painting, Egyptian hieroglyphs,
Greek geometry are some of the visual communications of information.
Data Visualization:t lA
In our increasingly data-driven world, it's more important than ever to have accessible way to
view and understand data. Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and
data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps,data visualization tools provide an
accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data.. It transforms complex
numerical data into a graphical format, enabling faster and more intuitive comprehension,
especially for large datasets. This visual display of information communicates complex data
relationships and data-driven insights in a way that is easy to understand. Additionally, it
provides an excellent way for employees or business ownes to present data to non-technical
audience without confusion. In the world of big data, data visualization tools and technologies
are essential to analyze massive amounts of information and make data-driven decisions.
Advantage and Disadvantages of Data Visualization:
Something as simple as presenting data in graphic may seem to have no downsides. But
sometimes data can be misrepresented or misinterpreted when placed in the wrong style of data
visualization,D
Advantages. Our eyes are drawn to colors and patterns. We can quickly identify red from blue,
and square from circle. Or culture is visual, including everything from art and advertisements to
TV and movies. Data visualization is another form of visual art that grabs our interest and keeps
our eye on the message. When we see a chart, we quickly see trends and outliers. If you've ever
stared at a massive spreadsheet of data and couldn't see a trend, you know how much more
effectivea visualization can be.
Some other advantages of data visualization include:ole osdE
Easily sharing information
Interactively explore opportunitychai u
Visualize patterns and relationships.eoeonpbanilelsa
Disadvantages. While there are many advantages, there are also disadvantages. For
example, when viewing avisualization with many different data points, it's easy to make an
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BasicCharts
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inaccurate assumption. Or sometimes, the visualization is just designed wrong so that it's biased
or confusing
Some other disadvantages include:
Biased or inaccurate information
Correlation doesn't always mean causation.
Core messages can get lost in translation.
Types of Data Visualizations:
The earliest form of data visualization can be traced back in the
pre-17th century, largely
used to assist in navigation. As time progressed, people leveraged (the
visualization for broader applications, such as economic, social, health power of influence) data
Edward Tufte published The Visual Display of Quantitative Information', disciplines and others.
individual could utilize data visualization to present data in a which illustrated that
more effective manner. Hs book
continues to stand the test of time, especially as companies tum to
performance metrics in real time. Dashboards are effective data dashboards to report their
and visualizing data from multiple data sources, providing visualization tools for tracking
behavios by a team or an adjacent one on performance. visibility into the effects of specific
Dashboards
visualization techniques, such as table, pie charts, stack bar charts, include common
line charts, area charts,
histogram, scatter plots, heat maps, tree maps, Bubble charts waterfall
charts and others
Data visualization includes a variety of charts, each
designed to present data in a clear and
meaningful way. From simple bar and line charts to advanced visuals
plots, theright chart helps turn raw data into useful insights. like heatmaps and scatter
Let's explore some common types of charts from
them.
basic to advanced and understand when to use
Difference between Graphs and Charts:
Graphs and Charts are both visual representations of
data, but they serve slightly different
purposes and are used in different context.
Graphs Graphs are more about exploring relationships between
used in more technical or scientific variables and are often
contexts. It is a way to show how things are
dots and lines. These dots are called points, connected using
or nodes, and the line are called edges.
see and study how different things relate to each other. They help us
Charts Charts are about presenting data in a
in business or for general audience straightforward, accessible way, often used
communication. Charts are a way to show information so that
it's easy tounderstand. They use pictures like
line, bar, or pie slices to represent data. This
makes
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Basic Charts for Data Visualization
Basic charts are best suited for displaying simple comparisons, trends over time and basic
relationships within the data. These charts are easy to understand and ideal for communicating
insights to a broad audience.
1. Bar Charts
Bar charts are used to compare values across different categories using rectangular bars. X-axis
shows categories while Y-axis represents values. Common types include horizontal, stacked and
grouped bar charts.
Below is the Example of Bar Chart:
Bar Chart
.
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Categories
Representation of Bar Chart
When to Use:
To compare different categories
To rank values from highest to lowest
To show relationships between multiple variables
2. Line Charts
Line charts show how values change over time by connecting data points with lines. They help
visualize trends like increases, decreases or stability.
Below is the example of line chart:
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. Cha
S c a t t ec
r h
LUne Chart indepe
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12
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Representation of line chart
When to Use:
" To track changes over time
To compare trends across multiple data series
For time series analysis
3. Pie Charts
Pie charts are round charts divided into slices, where each slice shows a part of the whole. The
size of each slice represents its percentage.
Below is the example of pie chart:
Representation of pie chart
When to Use:
To show how different parts contribute to a whole
To highlight a dominant category
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4. Seatter Chart (Plots)
Scatter charts use dotw to show relationshíp between two numerical Variables, X-azis shows the
independent variable and Y-uxis showsthe dependent variatble.
Below is the cxample of scatter chart:
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Representation of Scatter Charnt
When to Use:
To observe relationships between two variables
To detect patterns, clusters or outliers in data
5. Histogram
Ahistogram displays the distribution of numerical data by grouping values into intervals (bins)
and showing their frequency as bars. It helps reveal the shape, spread and patterns in the data.
Below is the example of histogram:
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Representation of Histogram
When to Use:
To visualize the distribution of numerical data
To explore patterns, trends and outliers
Advanced Charts for Data Visualization
Advanced charts are designed to handle more complex data. They help analyze multiple
variables, uncover deeper insights and reveal patterns that might be missed with basic visuals.
1. Heatmap
Aheatmap displays data in a matrix format using color to represent values. It's ideal for spotting
patterns, correlations and variations in large datasets.
Below is the example of heatmap:
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Representation of Heatmap
When to Use:
" To identify clusters or groupings in data
To visualize correlations between variables
For risk analysis in fields like finance or network security
7. Choropleth Map
across geographic areas. It's useful for
A choropleth map uses color shading to represent data
spread across regions.
showing differences like population density, income levels or disease
Below is the example of choropleth map:
Oorpleth Rap
Representation of choropleth map
When to Use:
To compare data across locations
To spot geographic patterns and trends
Spot similarities or differences between categories.
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