46 ODD: Design choices in data visualization

I have curated this collection of external video sources on design choices in data visualization.

46.1 How to spot a misleading graph

When they’re used well, graphs can help us intuitively grasp complex data. But as visual software has enabled more usage of graphs throughout all media, it has also made them easier to use in a careless or dishonest way — and as it turns out, there are plenty of ways graphs can mislead and outright manipulate. Lea Gaslowitz shares some things to look out for.

46.2 Data Visualization and Misrepresentation

This animation was produced by some of my colleagues at Brown.

46.3 Vox on How coronavirus charts can mislead us

46.4 Vox on Shut up about the y-axis. It shouldn’t always start at zero

46.5 Nature’s Top 10 Figure Mistakes

Nature’s Research Figure Guide gives good general advice about elements of a figure, and highlights the top 10 ways figures can delay your paper. These are common figure mistakes that reviewers and editors encounter, ranging from poor color choices and missing scale bars to figures that are too small to read or inconsistent in style. Although the guide is aimed at researchers submitting to scientific journals, the tips apply broadly to any data visualization intended for an audience.

Gloriously Terrible Plots

Want to see more ugly charts? Check out the following resources: