diagrammatic representation of data

• Diagrammatic Representation of Data

Suppose you are interested to compare the marks of your mates in a test. How can you make the comparison interesting? It can be done by the diagrammatic representations of data. You can use a bar diagram, histograms, pie-charts etc for this.  You will be able to answer questions like –

How will you find out the number of students in the various categories of marks in a certain test? What can you say about the marks obtained by the maximum students? Also, how can you compare the marks of your classmates in five other tests? Is it possible for you to remember the marks of each and every student in all subjects? No! Also, you don’t have the time to compare the marks of every student. Merely noting down the marks and doing comparisons is not interesting at all. Let us study them in detail.

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Bar diagram.

This is one of the simplest techniques to do the comparison for a given set of data. A bar graph is a graphical representation of the data in the form of rectangular bars or columns of equal width. It is the simplest one and easily understandable among the graphs by a group of people.

Browse more Topics under Statistical Description Of Data

• Introduction to Statistics
• Textual and Tabular Representation of Data
• Frequency Distribution
• Frequency Polygon  
• Cumulative Frequency Graph or Ogive

Construction of a Bar Diagram

• Draw two perpendicular lines intersecting each other at a point O. The vertical line is the y-axis and the horizontal is the x-axis.
• Choose a suitable scale to determine the height of each bar.
• On the horizontal line, draw the bars at equal distance with corresponding heights.
• The space between the bars should be equal.

Properties of a Bar Diagram

• Each bar or column in a bar graph is of equal width.
• All bars have a common base.
• The height of the bar corresponds to the value of the data.
• The distance between each bar is the same.

Types of Bar Diagram

A bar graph can be either vertical or horizontal depending upon the choice of the axis as the base. The horizontal bar diagram is used for qualitative data. The vertical bar diagram is used for the quantitative data or time series data. Let us take an example of a bar graph showing the comparison of marks of a student in all subjects out of 100 marks for two tests.

With the bar graph, we can also compare the marks of students in each subject other than the marks of one student in every subject. Also, we can draw the bar graph for every student in all subjects.

We can use another way of diagrammatical representation of data. If we are working with a continuous data set or grouped dataset, we can use a histogram for the representation of data.

• A histogram is similar to a bar graph except for the fact that there is no gap between the rectangular bars. The rectangular bars show the area proportional to the frequency of a variable and the width of the bars represents the class width or class interval.
• Frequency means the number of times a variable is occurring or is present. It is an area graph. The heights of the rectangles are proportional to the corresponding frequencies of similar classes.

Construction of Histogram

• Choose a suitable scale for both the axes to determine the height and width of each bar
• On the horizontal line, draw the bars with corresponding heights
• There should be no gap between two consecutive bars showing the continuity of the data
• If the grouped frequencies are not continuous, the first thing to do is to make them continuous

It is done by adding the average of the difference between the lower limit of the class interval and the upper limit of the preceding class width to the upper limits of all the classes. The same quantity is subtracted from the lower limits of the classes.

Properties of Histogram

• Each bar or column in a bar graph is of equal width and corresponds to the equal class interval
• If the classes are of unequal width then the height of the bars will be proportional to the ration of the frequencies to the width of the classes
• All bars have a common base
• The height of the bar corresponds to the frequency of the data

Suppose we have a data set showing the marks obtained out of 100 by a group of 35 students in statistics. We can find the number of students in the various marks category with the help of the histogram.

A line graph is a type of chart or graph which shows information when a series of data is joined by a line. It shows the changes in the data over a period of time. In a simple line graph, we plot each pair of values of (x, y). Here, the x-axis denotes the various time point (t), and the y-axis denotes the observation based on the time.

Properties of a Line Graph

• It consists of Vertical and Horizontal scales. These scales may or may not be uniform.
• Data point corresponds to the change over a period of time.
• The line joining these data points shows the trend of change.

Below is the line graph showing the number of buses passing through a particular street over a period of time:

Solved Examples for diagrammatic Representation of Data

Problem 1: Draw the histogram for the given data.

Solution: This grouped frequency distribution is not continuous. We need to convert it into a continuous distribution with exclusive type classes. This is done by averaging the difference of the lower limit of one class and the upper limit of the preceding class. Here, d = ½ (19 – 18) = ½ = 0.5. We add 0.5 to all the upper limits and we subtract 0.5 from all the lower limits.

The corresponding histogram is

Draw a line graph for the production of two types of crops for the given years.

Solution: The required graph is

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Diagrammatic Presentation Of Data

Introduction.

The diagrammatic representation also helps in having a bird’s eye view or overall view of the differentiation of data. It is a norm to present statistical data in the form of diagrams so that it becomes easier to comprehend and understand them. Therefore, diagrammatic representation is an important tool in statistics.

What is a Diagrammatic Presentation of Data?

Diagrammatic representation refers to a representation of statistical data in the form of diagrams. The diagrams used in representing statistical data are geometrical figures, such as lines, bars, and circles. The intention of using geometrical figures in statistical presentation is to make the study more interesting and easy to understand. Diagrammatic representations are widely used in statistics, economics, and many other fields of study.

Types of Diagrammatic Presentations of Data

Various types of diagrammatic representations of data depend on the dataset and the particular statistical elements in them. Data presentation can be made in different types and forms.

These can be broadly classified into the following one-dimensional types −

Line Diagram

In a line diagram, straight lines are used to indicate various parameters. Here, a line represents the sequence of data associated with the changing of a particular variable.

Properties of Line Diagram −

The Lines are either in vertical or horizontal directions.

There may be uniform scaling but this is not mandatory.

The lines that connect the data points offer the statistical representation of data.

The following is an example of a line diagram that shows profits in Rs crore from 2002 till 2008. Profit in 2002 was Rs 5 Crore while in 2008 it was Rs 24 Crore.

Bar Diagram

Bar diagrams have rectangular shapes of equal width that represent statistical data in a straightforward manner. Bar diagrams are one of the most widely used diagrammatic representations.

Properties of Bar Diagram −

The Bars can be vertical or horizontal in directions.

All bars in a diagram have a uniform width.

All the Bars have a common and same base.

The height or width of the Bar shows the required value.

The following is an example of a Bar Chart that has time on the X axis and profits on the Y axis.

Also known as a "circle chart" , the pie chart divides the circular statistical graphic into sectors or sections to illustrate the numerical data. Each sector in the circle denotes a proportionate part of the whole. Pie-chart works the best at the time when we want to denote the composition of something. In most cases, the pie chart replaces other diagrammatic representations, such as the bar graph, line plots, histograms, etc.

In practice, the various sections in a pie chart are derived according to their ratio to the total area of the circle. Then according to their individual contributions, sections are divided into parts derived from 360 degrees of the circle.

Advantages of Diagrammatic Presentation of Data

Easier to understand.

Pictorial representations are usually easier to understand than statistical text or representation in tabular form. One can easily understand which portion or part has more contribution toward the overall dataset. This helps in understanding the data better.

The creators of diagrams usually keep the simplicity of presentation in mind to offer more information to readers. That is why diagrams are easier to comprehend than texts and tables.

More attractive

Pictorial or diagrammatic representations of datasets are more attractive than normal representations. As colors and various other tools can be incorporated into diagrams, they become more attractive and comprehensible for the readers.

Moreover, as diagrams can be made more interactive with the help of computer graphics, they have become more acceptable and attractive currently.

Simpler presentations

Data can be presented more simply in diagrammatic form. Both extensive unstable data and smaller complex data can be represented by diagrammatic representations more easily. This helps statisticians offer more value to their findings.

Comparison is easier

When two or more data are compared, it is easier to do so in pictorial form. As diagrams clearly show the portion of data consumed, it can be easily understood from the diagrams which part of the data is consuming more area in the diagrams. This can help one to understand the real differences through pictorial comparison.

Universal acceptance

Diagrammatic representation of data is used in many fields of study, such as statistics, science, commerce, economics, etc. So, the diagrams are accepted universally and hence are used everywhere.

Moreover, since there are the same procedures for forming diagrams, the representations mean the same thing to everyone. So, there is nothing to alter when we obtain the diagrams to check the real values. It helps analysts solve problems universally.

Improvement in presentation

Diagrammatic representations improve the overall representation of data to a large extent. As the data is classified into several groups and presented in a systematic manner in diagrams, the whole presentation of data gets improved during the diagrammatic representation.

Moreover, as diagrams can be made more interactive than texts or tables, diagrammatic presentations are one step ahead in presenting the data in a simpler yet recognizable manner.

More organized and classified data

To represent data in diagrams, they must be organized and classified into comprehensive categories. This helps the data to be organized in a given fashion which makes them orderly and creates a sequence. This in turn helps realize diagrammatic data better than text forms.

Relevance Diagrammatic Presentation of Data

Diagrams are a great way of representing data because they are visually attractive and they can make large, complex datasets look simpler. The otherwise heavy data can be simply and easily represented by line and bar diagrams, and pie charts. This makes data organization simpler and neater.

Moreover, as data must be classified before representation, one must organize them according to the norms required. So, diagrammatic representations save lots of time and resources.

Diagrams also have universal acceptance and so can be used to express data in different forms. This provides the analysts and researchers flexibility to present data in any required form.

Diagrams also remove confusion and offer a simpler tactic to present data. As no special skill has to be learned to represent data in diagrams, they can be used by most to show statistical data and results of various types of research and experiments.

Therefore, diagrammatic representation has great relevance that can be used for the benefit of economists, statisticians, marketing analysts, and a lot of other professionals.

The diagrams are a central part of statistics and their importance can be known from the fact that almost all statistical researchers use them in one way or the other. The diagrammatical representations make inferring statistical data much simpler and easier. It is a much easier way to visualize and understand data in simpler forms too.

To represent data in diagrammatic form, only a simple understanding of Mathematics is required. So, no special skills are needed to use diagrams and this makes them very popular tools for the representation of data sets. Learning how to present data in diagrams, therefore, should be a priority for everyone.

Q1. Which is the simplest diagrammatic presentation of data?

Ans. The simplest diagrammatic presentation of data is a line diagram that shows data in terms of straight lines.

Q2. What are the two characteristics of bar diagrams?

Ans. Bar diagrams have uniform width and their base remains the same.

Q3. How are the sections in a pie chart formed?

Ans. In practice, the various sections in a pie chart are derived according to their ratio to the total area of the circle. Then according to their individual contributions, sections are divided into parts derived from 360 degrees of the circle.

For example, if a section requires 25% of the presentation, it will consume  degrees on the chart.

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Diagrammatic Representations: Basics, Types, Examples

Diagrammatic Representations: The use of diagrams to illustrate statistical data is very essential. The greatest way for representing any numerical data obtained in statistics is through diagrammatic representations. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” according to one famous quote. In comparison to tabular or textual representations, the diagrammatic display of data provides an immediate understanding of the true scenario to be defined by the data.

It efficiently converts the exceedingly complex ideas contained in numbers into a more concrete and readily understandable form. Although diagrams are less certain, they are far more efficient in displaying data than tables. There are numerous types of diagrams in common use. Similarly, the diagrammatic representation of data gives a lot of information regarding the numerical data. Let us learn about diagrammatic representations and their types in detail in this article.

Diagrammatic Representation of Data : Meaning

Representation of any numerical data by using diagrams is known as diagrammatic representation. Diagrammatic data representations give a simple and easy understanding of any numerical data collected as compared with the tabular form of the data or textual form of the data.

One of the famous quotes says that “A picture speaks more than words.” Similarly, to represent the statistical data, the essential tool is the diagrams. Diagrammatic data representations translate the highly complex ideas included in the given numerical data into concrete and pretty effectively in a simple, understandable manner.

Diagrammatic representations use geometrical figures as diagrams to improve the representation of the data. Diagrammatic representations are like visual assistance to the readers.

Basics of Diagrammatic Presentations

Diagrammatic representation of data gives a lot of information regarding numerical data. It is a more attractive and easy way of representing any numerical data in statistics. Diagrammatic representations are like visual assistance to the readers. Diagrammatic representations use the geometrical figures as diagrams to improve the data representation, such as cartography, pictographs, Pie charts, bar diagrams, etc.

• In pictographic representation of the data, we use pictures to represent the data. For example: if a company produces \(40,000\) units of cars, then we can show it by only four cars and mentioning each car represents \(10000\) units.
• In the cartograms, we represent the geographical location of certain things, and we use maps.
• Bar graphs are represented by rectangle bars. The height of the bars gives the value or frequency of the variable. All rectangular bars should have equal width.
• In the pie charts, a circle is divided into parts, such that each part shows the proportion of various data.
• In a line representation of data, we use the line to connect the various portions or parts of the plotted data on the graph.

Learn Everything About Pictographs Here

Advantages of Diagrammatic Presentations

The various advantages of the diagrammatic representations are listed below:

• The diagrammatic representations of the data are more attractive and pretty impressive compared with the tabular form of the data or textual form of the data.
• The diagrammatic representations of the data are easy to remember as they use the geometrical figures as the diagrams.
• The diagrammatic representation of data is easy to understand.
• Diagrammatic data representations translate the highly complex ideas included in the given numerical data into concrete and pretty effectively in a simple, understandable manner.
• Diagrammatic representations also help identify hidden facts or relations in the data that are not observed in the tabular form.
• Diagrammatic representations of the data are a handy tool in the comparison of data.

Types of One-Dimensional Diagrams

In one-dimensional diagrammatic representations of the data, we will consider only the length of the diagram. We have different types of one-dimensional diagrams that are listed below:

• Simple bar diagram
• Multiple bar diagrams
• Subdivided bar diagrams
• Percentage bar diagram
• Deviation bar diagram

Types of Diagrammatic Representations

Diagrammatic representations use the geometrical figures as diagrams to improve the data representation, such as cartographs, pictographs, Pie charts, bar diagrams, etc.

1. Line Diagrams

In the linear diagrammatic representations of the data, we will use the line that connects the points or portions of the various data in the graph by taking two variables on horizontal and vertical axes. Example: The below diagram gives the linear representation of the wildlife population of bears, whales, dolphins.

2. Bar Diagrams

In the bar diagrammatic representation of data, the data can be represented by rectangular bars. The height of the bars gives the value or frequency of the variable. All rectangular bars should have equal width. This is one of the best-used tools for the comparison of the data. Example: Birthdays of different students at the school in the different months.

3. Histograms

Histograms are also similar to bar diagrams; they use rectangular bars to represent the data. But all the rectangular bars are kept without any gaps.

4. Pie Diagrams

Pie Diagram is a diagrammatic representation of data by using circles and spheres. In the pie diagrams, a circle is divided into parts, such that each part shows the proportion of various data. Example: The below pie diagram represents the different modes of transport used by the students.

5. Pictographs

The pictographic representation shows the given data graphically by using images or symbols. The symbol or image is used in the pictographic diagrams describes the frequency of the object in the given set of data. Pictographs provided the information of the given data by using symbols or images. Example: The pictograph diagram below shows the mode of transport used by the number of students using the image, and each image represents the value.

Diagrammatic Representation Examples

Q.1. A bus manufacturing company manufactured the following number of buses for the first eight months of the year, which are represented below:

Q.2. The given table represents the marks obtained by \(120\) kids of class IX in a cycle test \(-1\). Draw the more than type ogive  for the given data:

Ans: The linear graph for the given data can be drawn by taking the students’ marks on the horizontal or \(x-\)axis and the number of students on the vertical axis or \(y-\)axis. Then plot the points as finding the marks and number of students in the graph. Now join the points to obtain the graph.

Q.3. Show the below-given data in the pie diagram for the number of fruits eaten by the students in a class:

Ans: Total frequency \(300\).

Draw a circle with a compass with any radius. The pie chart is drawn for the above data shown as follows:

Q.4 . Chinmayi noted all toys she bought for her children and relatives as shown in the below tabular form:

Represent the above data in the diagrammatic representations using the pictographs. Ans: To represent the given data in diagrammatic representation using the pictographs below: First, consider the image or symbol representing the particular object Chinmayi bought. Now, represent the data by using the image or symbol chosen.

Q.5 . The number of children of five different batches of an educational institute is given below. Represent the given data by using the bar graph.

Ans: To represent the above data, consider the values of batches on \(x-\)axis and the number of children on the \(y-\)axis.

The above diagram shows the bar diagram of the given data.

In this article, we have studied the definitions of the diagrammatic representations of the data. We also studied the advantages and basics of diagrammatic representations. This article gives the types of diagrammatic representations used along with the constructions. This article studied the solved examples that help us to understand and the construction of diagrammatic representations easily.

FAQs on Diagrammatic and Graphical Representation of Data

The answers to the most frequently asked questions on Diagrammatic and Graphical Representation of Data are provided here:

Q.1. What is a diagrammatic representation of data? Ans: Representation of any numerical data by using diagrams is known as diagrammatic representation.

Q.2. What are the advantages of diagrammatic representations? Ans: Some of the advantages of the diagrammatic representations are listed below: 1. These are more attractive and pretty impressive. 2. These are easy to remember. 3. These are easy to construct and easy to understand. 4. This gives the complex data in the simplest form. 5. These give more information.

Q.3. What is the diagrammatic representation of the problem-solving process? Ans: The diagrammatic representation of problem-solving are: 1. Pictographs 2. Pie charts 3. Bar graphs 4. Histograms 5. Linear diagrams

Q.4. Why is the diagrammatic representation of the data better than the tabulation of the data? Ans: Diagrammatic data representations give a simple and easy understanding of any numerical data collected compared with the tabular form of the data or textual form of the data.

Q.5. What is a one-dimensional diagrammatic representation of data? Ans: The one-dimensional diagrammatic representation of data is: 1. Line diagrams 2. Bar diagrams

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45 Presentation of data I – Diagrammatic representation

Pa . Raajeswari

INTRODUCTION

The data we collect can often be more easily understood for interpretation if it is presented graphically or pictorially. Diagrams and graphs give visual indication of magnitudes, grouping, trends and patterns in the data. The diagrams are used for facilitating comparisons between two or more sets of data. The diagrams are more suitable to illustrate the discrete data. The diagrams should be clear and easy to read and understand.

A large number of diagrams are used to present statistical data. The choice of a particular diagram to present a given set of numerical data is not an easy one. It primarily depends on the nature of the data, magnitude of the observations and the type of people for whom the diagrams are meant and requires great amount of expertise, skill and intelligence. An inappropriate choice of the diagram for the given set of data might give a distorted picture of the phenomenon under the study and might lead to wrong and fallacious interpretations and conclusions. Hence, the choice of a diagram to present the given data should be made with utmost caution and care. The diagrams do not add any meaning to the statistical facts, but they exhibit the results more clearly. Use of diagrams is becoming more and morepopular in the present scenario.

REPRESENTATION OF DATA

Besides the tabular form, the data may also be presented in some graphic or diagrammatic form. “The transformation of data through visual methods like graphs, diagrams, maps and charts is called representation of data.”

The need of representing data graphically:

Graphics, such as maps, graphs and diagrams, are used to represent large volume of data. They are necessary:

• If the information is presented in tabular form or in a descriptive  record, it becomes difficult to draw results.
• Diagramatic form makes it possible to easily draw visual impressions of data.
• The diagramatic method of the representation of data enhances our understanding.
• It makes the comparisons easy.
• Besides, such methods create an imprint on mind for a longer time.
• Diagrams are visual aids for presentation of statistical data and more appealing.
• It is a time consuming task to draw inferences about whatever is being presented in non–diagramaticform.
• It presents characteristics in a simplified way.
• These makes it easy to understand the patterns of population growth, distribution and the density, sex ratio, age–sex composition, occupational structure, etc.

General Rules for Drawing Diagrams and Maps

1. Selection of a Suitable Diagrammatic Method

Each characteristic of the data can only be suitably represented by an appropriate diagramatic method. For example,

To show the data related to the temperature or growth of population between different periods in time line graph are used.

Similarly, bar diagrams are used for showing rainfall or the production of commodities.

The population distribution, both human and livestock, or the distribution of the crop producing areas are shown by dot maps.

The population density can be shown by choropleth maps.

Thus, it is necessary and important to select suitable diagramatic method to represent data.

2. Selection of Suitable Scale

Each diagram or map is drawn to a scale which is used to measure the data. The scale must cover the entire data that is to be represented. The scale should neither be too large nor too small.

The diagram or map should have following design:

1.  Title: The title of the diagram/map must be clear and include – o The name of the area,  Reference year of the data used and o The caption of the diagram.

These are written with different font sizes and thickness. The title, subtitle and the corresponding year is shown in the centre at the top of the map/diagram.

2.   Legend or Index : The index must clearly explain the colours, shades, symbols and signs used in the map and diagram. A legend is shown either at the lower left or lower right side of the map sheet.

3.  Direction The maps should show the direction North and properly placed on the top.

Types of Diagrams

A research should contain a large variety of diagrammatic presentations to present the data and findings of research work.

• One dimensional diagrams – Line and Bar diagram.
• Two dimensional diagrams – Pie diagram
• Three dimensional diagram – Cubes,Squares,Prisms, Cylinders and Blocks.
• Pictographs

ONE DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAMS

1.    LINE DIAGRAM

This kind of a diagram becomes suitable for representing data supplied chronologically in an ascending or descending order. It shows the behaviour of a variable over time. The line graphs are usually drawn to represent the time series data related to the temperature, rainfall, population growth, birth rates and the death rates.

Construction of a Line Graph

1st step: Round the data to be shown upto 1 digit of even numbers.

2nd step: Draw X and Y-axis. Mark the time series variables (years/months) on the X axis and the data quantity/value to be plotted on Y axis.

3rd step: Choose an appropriate scale to show data and label it on Y-axis. If the data involves a negative figure then the selected scale should also show it.

4th step: Plot the data to depict year/month-wise values according to the selected scale on Y-axis, mark the location of the plotted values by a dot and join these dots by a free hand drawn line

Construct a line graph to represent the data

Line diagrams are the simplest of all diagrams.

Line graph is most useful in displaying data or information that change continuously over time.

2. Polygraph

Polygraph is a line graph in which two or more than two variables are shown on a same diagram by different lines. It helps in comparing the data. Examples which can be shown as polygraph are:

• The growth rate of different crops like rice, wheat, pulses in one diagram.
• The birth rates, death rates and life expectancy in one diagram.
• Sex ratio in different states or countries in one diagram.

Construction of a Polygraph

All steps of construction of polygraph are similar to that of line graph. But different lines are drawn to indicate different variables.

Construct a polygraph to compare the variables.

3. Bar Diagram

It is also called a columnar diagram. The bar diagrams are drawn through columns of equal width. Following rules were observed while constructing a bar diagram:

(a)  The width of all the bars or columns is similar.

(b)  All the bars should are placed on equal intervals/distance.

(c)  Bars are shaded with colours or patterns to make them distinct and attractive.

Three types of bar diagrams are used to represent different data sets:

• The simple bar diagram
• Compound bar diagram
• Polybar diagram.

Simple Bar Diagram

Construction  of   a simple  bar diagram

A simple bar diagram is constructed for an immediate comparison. It is advisable to arrange the given data set in an ascending or descending order and plot the data variables accordingly. However, time series data are represented according to the sequencing of the time period.

Construction Steps:

Draw X and Y- axes on a graph paper. Take an interval and mark it on Y-axis to plot data. Divide X-axis into equal parts to draw bars. The actual values will be plotted according to the selected scale.

Line and Bar Graph

The line and bar graphs as drawn separately and may also be combined to depict the data related to some of the closely associated characteristics such as the climatic data of mean monthly temperatures and rainfall.

                                        Construct a Line and bar Graph

Construction:

• Draw X and Y-axes of a suitable length and divide X-axis into parts to show months in a year.
• Select a suitable scale with equal intervals on the Y-axis and label it at its right side.
• Similarly, select a suitable scale with equal intervals on the Y-axis and label at its left side.
• Plot data using line graph and columnar diagram.

Multiple Bar Diagram

Multiple bar diagrams are constructed to represent two or more than two variables for the purpose of comparison. For example, a multiple bar diagram may be constructed to show proportion of males and females in the total, rural and urban population or the share of canal, tube well and well irrigation in the total irrigated area in different states.

              Construct a Multiple bar Diagram.

Construction

(a) Mark time series data on X-axis and variable data on Y-axis as per the selected scale.

(b) Plot the data in closed columns.

• Compound Bar Diagram

When different components are grouped in one set of variable or different variables of one component are put together, their representation is made by a compound bar diagram. In this method, different variables are shown in a single bar with different rectangles.

Construct a Compound Bar Diagram

• Arrange the data in ascending or descending order.
• A single bar will depict the set of variables by dividing the total length of the bar as per percentage.

TWO DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAMS

• Pie Diagram

Pie diagram is another diagramatic method of the representation of data. It is drawn to depict the total value of the given attribute using a circle. Dividing the circle into corresponding degrees of angle then represent the sub– sets of the data. Hence, it is also called as Divided Circle Diagram. The angle of each variable is calculated using the following formulae.

Pie Diagram.

If data is given in percentage form, the angles are calculated using the given formulae.

Calculation of Angles:

(a) Arrange the data on percentages in an ascending order.

(b) Calculate the degrees of angles for showing the given values

(b)It could be done by multiplying percentage with a constant of 3.6 as derived by dividing the total number of degrees in a circle by 100,

                        i.  e. 360/100.

(c)Plot the data by dividing the circle into the required number of divisions to show the share different regions/countries

(a)Select a suitable radius for the circle to be drawn. A radius of 3, 4 or 5 cm may be chosen for the given data set.

(b)Draw a line from the centre of the circle to the arc as a radius.

(c)Measure the angles from the arc of the circle for each category of vehicles in an ascending order clock-wise, starting with smaller angle.

(d) Complete the diagram by adding the title, sub – title, and the legend. The legend mark be chosen for each variable/category and highlighted by distinct shades/colours.

Precautions

(a)The circle should neither be too big to fit in the space nor too small to be illegible.

(b) Starting with bigger angle will lead to accumulation of error leading to the plot of the smaller angle difficult.

THREE DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAMS

These diagrams are used when only one point is to be compared and the ratio between the highest and the lowest measurements is more than 100. For these diagrams, the cube root of various measurements is calculated and the side of each cube istaken in proportion to the cube roots

Among the three dimensional diagrams, cubes are the easiest and should be used only in cases where the figures cannot be adequately presented through bar, square or circle diagrams.In case of cubes, all three dimensions, length, width and height are taken into consideration.In case of a cylinder, the length and diameter of circle are taken into consideration. A sphere in the shape of a bell can be used in a three dimensional form.

Pictograph is a way of representing statistical data using symbolic figures to match the frequencies of different kinds of data.A pictogram is another form of pictoral bar chart. Such charts are useful in presenting data to people whocannot understand charts.Small symbols or simple figures are used to represent the size of data.

To construct pictograms, the following suggestions are made;

• The symbols must be simple and clear.
• The quantity represented by the symbol should be given
• Large quantities are shown by increasing the number and not by increasing the size of symbols. A part of symbol can be used to represent a quantity smaller than the whole symbol

Major advantages of pictograms

• First, they are farmore attractive when compared to other diagrams. As such they generate interest in audience.
• Second, it has been observed that the facts presentedby pictograms are remembered for long time than tables, bars and other diagrams.

Limitations of pictograms

• First, they are difficult to draw
• we cannot show the actual data properly

Cartograms are the maps used to present the statistical data on a geographical basis. The various figures in different regions on maps are shown either by

• Shades or colours
• Dots or bars
• Diagrams or pictures
• By putting numerical figures in each geographical area.

CLASSIFIATION

There are three main types of cartograms, each have a very different way of showing attributes of geographic objects-

• Non-contiguous,
• Contiguous and
• Dorling cartograms.

NON-CONTIGUOUS CARTOGRAMS

A non-contiguous cartogram is the simplest and easiest type of cartogram to make. In a non-contiguous cartogram, the geographic objects do not have to maintain connectivity with their adjacent objects. This connectivity is called topology. By freeing the objects from their adjacent objects, they can grow or shrink in size and still maintain their shape. Here is an example of two non-contiguous cartograms.

The cartogram on the left has maintained the object’s centroid (a centroid is the weighted center point of an area object.) Because the object’s center is staying in the same place, some of the objects will begin to overlap when the objects grow or shrink depending on the attribute (in this case population.) In the cartogram on the right, the objects not only shrink or grow, but they also will move one way or another to avoid overlapping with another object.

CONTIGUOUS CARTOGRAMS

In a non-contiguous cartogram topology was sacrificed in order to preserve shape. In a contiguous cartogram, the reverse is true- topology is maintained (the objects remain connected with each other) but this causes great distortion in shape.The cartographer must make the objects the appropriate size to represent the attribute value, but he or she must also maintain the shape of objects as best as possible, so that the cartogram can be easily interpreted. Here is an example of a contiguous cartogram of population in California’s countries. Compare this to the previous non-contiguous cartogram.

DORLING CARTOGRAM

A Dorling cartogram maintains neither shape, topology nor object centroids, though it has proven to be a very effective cartogram method. To create a Dorling cartogram, instead of enlarging or shrinking the objects themselves, the cartographer will replace the objects with a uniform shape, usually a circle, of the appropriate size.

Secondly, the Dorling Cartogram attempts to move the figures the shortest distance away from their true locations

Another Dorling-like cartogram is the Demers Cartogram, which is different in two ways. It uses squares rather than circles; this leaves fewer gaps between the shapes. The Demers cartogram often sacrifices distance to maintain contiguity between figures, and it will also sacrifice distance to maintain certain visual cues (The gap between figures used to represent San Francisco Bay in the Demers Cartogram below is a good example of a visual cue)

PSEUDO-CARTOGRAMS

Pseudo-cartograms (or false cartograms ) are representations that may look like cartograms but do not follow certain cartogram rules. Perhaps the most famous type of pseudo-cartogram was developed by Dr. Waldo Tobler. In this case, instead of enlarging or shrinking the objects themselves, Tobler moves the object’s connections to a reference grid such as latitude or longitude in order to give the same effect. This maintains good directional accuracy in the cartogram (if county A is directly north of county B, it will still remain directly north in the cartogram .Note in previous examples, such as the Dorling Cartogram, this is not always true) however; this is a false cartogram because it creates extensive error in the actual size of the objects

ADVANTAGES OF CARTOGRAMS

• Cartograms are simple and easy to understand.
• They are generally used when the regional or geographical comparisons are to be made.

LIMITATIONS

• Cartograms are very attractive but they should be used especially where geographic comparisons are to be made and where approximate measures can serve the purpose.
• This is understandable as the maps are unable to provide 100% accuracy.

. No single diagram is suited for all practical situations. The choice of a particular diagram for visual presentation of a given set of data is not an easy one and requires great skill, intelligence and expertise. The choice will primarily depend upon the nature of the data and object of the presentation, i.e., the type of the audience to whom the diagrams are to be presented and it should be made with utmost care and caution. A wrong or  injudicious selection of the diagram will distort the true characteristics of the phenomenon to be presented and might lead to very wrong and misleading interpretations.

• https://gradestack.com/Class-11th-Commerce/Presentation-of-Data/Diagrammatic-Presentation/17643-3574-27365-study-wtw
• http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/statistics/data/graphical-representation-of-statistical-data/12010
• https://www.scribd.com/doc/41044016/Diagrammatic-Graphical-Presentation-of-Data
• http://www.publishyourarticles.net/knowledge-hub/statistics/diagrammatic-presentation-of-data/1103/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TMs4-hIA04

• Accountancy
• Business Studies
• Organisational Behaviour
• Human Resource Management
• Entrepreneurship

Diagrammatic and Graphic Presentation of Data

Diagrammatic and graphic presentation of data means visual representation of the data. It shows a comparison between two or more sets of data and helps in the presentation of highly complex data in its simplest form. Diagrams and graphs are clear and easy to read and understand. In the diagrammatic presentation of data, bar charts, rectangles, sub-divided rectangles, pie charts, or circle diagrams are used. In the graphic presentation of data, graphs like histograms, frequency polygon, frequency curves, cumulative frequency polygon, and graphs of time series are used.

General Rules for Construction of Diagrammatic and Graphic Presentations: 

1. Chronic Number: Each outline or chart should have a chronic number. It is important to recognize one from the other.

2. Title: A title should be given to each outline or chart. From the title, one can understand what the graph or diagram is. The title ought to be brief and simple. It is normally positioned at the top.

3. Legitimate size and scale: An outline or chart ought to be of ordinary size and drawn with an appropriate scale. The scale in a chart indicates the size of the unit.

4. Neatness: Outlines should be pretty much as straightforward as could be expected. Further, they should be very perfect and clean. They ought to likewise be dropped to check out.

5. File: Each outline or chart should be joined by a record. This outlines various sorts of lines, shades or tones utilized in the graph.

6. Commentary: Commentaries might be given at the lower part of an outline. It explains specific focuses in the chart.

Merits of Diagrammatic and Graphics Presentation:

The fundamental benefits or merits of a diagrammatic and graphical representation of data are as follows:

1. To simplify the data: Outlines and charts present information in a simple manner that can be perceived by anyone without any problem. Huge volume of data can be easily presented using graphs and diagrams.

2. Appealing presentation: Outlines and charts present complex information and data in an understandable and engaging manner and leave a great visual effect. In this way, the diagrammatic and graphical representation of information effectively draws the attention of users.

3. Helps with comparison of data: With the help of outlines and charts, comparison and examination data between various arrangements of information is possible.

4. Helps in forecasting: The diagrammatic and graphical representation of information has past patterns, which helps in forecasting and making various policies for the future.

5. Saves time and labour: Charts and graphs make the complex data into a simple form, which can be easily understood by anyone without having prior knowledge of the data. It gives ready to use information, and the user can use it accordingly. In this way, it saves a lot of time and labour.

6. Universally acceptable: Graphs and diagrams are used in every field and can be easily understood by anyone. Hence they are universally acceptable.

7. Helps in decision making: Diagrams and graphs give the real data about the past patterns, trends, outcomes, etc., which helps in future preparation.

Demerits of Diagrammatic and Graphics Presentation:

The demerits of diagrammatic and graphics presentation of data are as follows:

1. Handle with care: Drawing, surmising and understanding from graphs and diagrams needs proper insight and care. A person with little knowledge of statistics cannot analyze or use the data properly.

2. Specific information: Graphs and diagrams do not depict true or precise information. They are generally founded on approximations. The information provided is limited and specific.

3. Low precision: Graphs and diagrams can give misleading results, as they are mostly based on approximation of data. Personal judgement is used to study or analyze the data, which can make the information biased. Also, data can easily be manipulated.

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18 Types of Diagrams You Can Use to Visualize Data (Templates Included)

Have you ever found yourself stuck while trying to explain a complex concept to someone? Or struggling to put your idea into words?

This is where diagrams come in.

While simple text is best for highlighting figures or information, diagrams are handy for conveying complex ideas and loads of information without overwhelming your audience. They can visualize almost anything, from numerical data to qualitative relationships, making them versatile tools in numerous fields.

Whether you’re in the academe or enterprise setting, this guide is for you. We’ll explore the different types of diagrams with a brief explanation for each type, the best time to use a diagram type, and how you can use them to be a better visual storyteller and communicator. You’ll also find examples and templates for each type of diagram.

Let’s get on with it.

You can also follow along by creating a free account . Select a template to get started.

What exactly is a diagram? 

A diagram is a visual snapshot of information. Think of diagrams as visual representations of data or information that communicate a concept, idea, or process in a simplified and easily understandable way. You can also use them to illustrate relationships, hierarchies, cycles, or workflows. 

Diagrams aren’t just used to show quantitative data, such as sales earnings or satisfaction ratings with a diagram. They’re equally helpful if you want to share qualitative data. For example, a diagram could be used to illustrate the life cycle of a butterfly, showcasing each transformation stage. 

Now, let’s jump into the various types of diagrams, ranging from simple flow charts to the more complex Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams.

18 diagram types and when to use each type 

Whether you’re doing data analysis or need a simple visual representation of data, there is a wide array of diagrams at your fingertips. If you’re having a hard time choosing the right diagram for your data visualization needs, use the list below as a quick guide. 

1. Flowchart 

A flowchart is a type of diagram that acts as a roadmap for a process or workflow. It uses shapes and arrows to guide you through each step, making complex procedures simple to understand.

Flowcharts are best for : Simplifying complex processes into understandable stages, making it easier for your readers to follow along and see the ‘big picture”. 

2. Line graph

Line graphs , sometimes called line charts, visualizes numerical data points connected by straight lines. In a line graph or line chart, data points representing different time periods are plotted and connected by a line. This helps with easy visualization of trends and patterns.

Line graphs are best for: Representing the change of one or more quantities over time, making them excellent for tracking the progression of data points.

3. Bar chart 

A bar chart , often interchangeable with bar graphs, is a type of diagram used primarily to display and compare data. For this diagram type, rectangular bars of varying lengths represent data of different categories or groups. Each bar represents a category, and the length or height of the bar corresponds to the numeric data or quantity.

Variations of bar charts include stacked bar charts, grouped bar charts, and horizontal bar charts. 

Bar charts are best for : Comparing the frequency, count, or other measures (such as average) for different categories or groups. A bar chart is particularly useful if you want to display data sets that can be grouped into categories.

4. Circle diagram or pie chart

A pie chart is a circular diagram that represents data in slices. Each slice of the pie chart represents a different category and its proportion to the whole.

Pie charts are best for: Displaying categorical data where you want to highlight each category’s percentage of the total.

5.Venn diagrams

A Venn diagram compares the differences and similarities of groups of things. As a diagram based on overlapping circles, each circle in a Venn diagram represents a different set, and their overlap represents the intersection of the data sets. 

Venn diagrams are best for : Visualizing the relationships between different groups of things. They are helpful when you want to show areas of overlap between elements. A good example is if you want to compare the features of different products or two overlapping concepts, like in the Ikigai Venn diagram template below. Easily create your Venn diagram with Piktochart’s online Venn diagram maker .

6. Tree diagrams

A tree diagram is a diagram that starts with one central idea and expands with branching lines to show multiple paths, all possible outcomes, decisions, or steps. Each ‘branch’ represents a possible outcome or decision in a tree diagram, moving from left to right. Tree diagrams are best for : Representing hierarchy like organizational roles, evolutionary relationships, or possible outcomes of events like when a company launches a product. 

7. Organizational chart 

Organizational charts are diagrams used to display the structure of an organization. In an organizational chart, each box or node represents a different role or department, and lines connecting the boxes illustrate the lines of authority, communication, and responsibility. The chart typically starts with the highest-ranking individual or body (like a CEO or Board of Directors) at the top and branches downwards to various levels of management and individual employees.

Organizational charts are best for : Showing relationships between different members and departments in a company or organization. 

8. Gantt charts 

Gantt charts are typically used in project management to represent the timeline of a project. They consist of horizontal bars, with each bar representing a task or activity.

For this type of diagram, each chart is represented by a horizontal bar spanning from its start date to its end date. The length of the bar corresponds to the duration of the task. Tasks are listed vertically, often in the order they need to be completed. In some projects, tasks are grouped under larger, overarching activities or phases.

Gantt charts are best for : Projects where you need to manage multiple tasks that occur over time, often in a specific sequence, and may depend on each other.

9. Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram

Software engineers use Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams to create standardized diagrams that illustrate the building blocks of a software system.

UML diagrams, such as class diagrams, sequence diagrams, and state diagrams, provide different perspectives on complex systems. Class diagrams depict a system’s static structure, displaying classes, attributes, and relationships. Meanwhile, sequence diagrams illustrate interactions and communication between system entities, providing insight into system functionality. 

UML diagrams are best for : Visualizing a software system’s architecture in software engineering.

10. SWOT analysis diagrams 

A SWOT analysis diagram is used in business strategy for evaluating internal and external factors affecting the organization. The acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Each category is represented in a quadrant chart, providing a comprehensive view of the business landscape.

SWOT diagrams are best for : Strategic planning and decision-making. They represent data that can help identify areas of competitive advantage and inform strategy development.

Piktochart offers professionally-designed templates to create diagrams , reports , presentations , brochures , and more. Sign up for a free account today to create impressive visuals within minutes.

11. Fishbone diagram 

Fishbone diagrams, sometimes called cause-and-effect diagrams,  are used to represent the causes of a problem. They consist of a central idea, with different diagrams or branches representing the factors contributing to the problem.

Fishbone diagrams are best for : Brainstorming and problem-solving sessions.

12. Funnel chart

A funnel chart is a type of diagram used to represent stages or progress. In a funnel chart, each stage is represented by a horizontal bar, and the length of the bar corresponds to the quantity or value at that stage. The chart is widest at the top, where the quantity or value is greatest, and narrows down to represent the decrease at each subsequent stage.

Funnel charts are best for: Visual representation of the sales pipeline or data visualization of how a broad market is narrowed down into potential leads and a select group of customers.

13. SIPOC diagrams

A SIPOC diagram is used in process improvement to represent the different components of a process. The acronym stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers.

SIPOC diagrams are best for: Providing a high-level view of a process which helps visualize the sequence of events and their interconnections.

14. Swimlane diagrams

Swimlane diagrams are best for mapping out complex processes that involve multiple participants or groups.

Keep in mind that each lane (which can be either horizontal or vertical) in a swimlane diagram represents a different participant or group involved in the process. The steps or activities carried out by each participant are plotted within their respective lanes. This helps clarify roles and responsibilities as well as the sequence of events and points of interaction.

Swimlane diagrams are best for : Visualizing how different roles or departments interact and collaborate throughout a workflow or process.

15. Mind maps

A mind map starts with a central idea and expands outward to include supporting ideas, related subtopics, concepts, or tasks, which can be further subdivided as needed. The branches radiating out from the central idea represent hierarchical relationships and connections between the different pieces of information in a mind map.

Mind maps are best for : Brainstorming, taking notes, organizing information, and visualizing complex concepts in a digestible format.

16. Scatter Plots

Scatter plots are used to compare data and represent the relationship between two variables. In a scatter plot, each dot represents a data point with its position along the x and y axes representing the values of two variables.

Scatter plots are best for : Observing relationships and trends between the two variables. These scatter plots are useful for regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and data exploration in various fields such as statistics, economics, and natural sciences.

17. PERT chart

PERT (Project Evaluation Review Technique) charts are project management tools used to schedule tasks. Each node or arrow represents each task, while lines represent dependencies between tasks. The chart includes task duration and earliest/latest start/end times.

Construction project managers often use PERT charts to schedule tasks like design, site prep, construction, and inspection. Identifying the critical path helps focus resources on tasks that impact the project timeline.

PERT charts are best for : Visualizing the sequence of tasks, the time required for each task, and project timelines.

18. Network diagrams

A network diagram visually represents the relationships between elements in a system or project. In network diagrams, each node represents an element, such as a device in a computer network or a task in a project. The lines or arrows connecting the nodes represent the relationships or interactions between these elements.

Network diagrams are best for: Visually representing the relationships or connections between different elements in a system or a project. They are often used in telecommunications, computer networking, project management, and organization planning.

Choosing the right diagram starts with a good understanding of your audience

Understanding your audience’s needs, expectations, and context is necessary before designing diagrams. The best diagram is not the one that looks the most impressive but the one that communicates complex information most clearly and effectively to your intended audience.

Make professional diagrams for free with no design experience with Piktochart’s online diagram maker . Sign up for free .

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