February 22, 2022
Overview # Divergent bar plots show bars extending from either side of an axis.
The bars can be arranged vertically or horizontally.
The side of the axis that the bars extend from can be a result of:
The value, such as when there are positive and negative values The category, such as when there are two types of things that you want to show, clearly separated For a specific type of divergent bar plot where the same observations appear across the two classes, check out the pyramid plot.
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February 21, 2022
Overview # A grouped bar plot is used to compare measures of things across two categorical values.
One of those categorical values is used for grouping, and the other one is used to identify specific observations.
For instance, a grouped bar plot might be used to compare heights of individuals from different countries, separated by gender. A specific case where we might use this sort of plot is in comparing the heights of North Koreans and South Koreans.
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February 21, 2022
Overview # A proportional stacked bar plot is used to show the relative composition of a group using bars.
The different sections of the bars correspond to the relative proportion of the distinct observations within the groups.
A proportional stacked bar plot is analogous to a proportional stacked area plot.
When to use # Use a proportional stacked area plot when your goal is to communicate the proportions of different groups.
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February 21, 2022
Overview # A stacked bar plot is used to compare groups of observations and also show the proportions of the observations within each group.
The overall height of the bars is the sum of the different observations within the groups.
A stacked bar plot is analogous to a stacked area plot.
When to use # A stacked bar plot works well to convey the total sum of a given group.
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February 18, 2022
Overview # A dendrogram is a network diagram that shows the hierarchical relationship between things.
More colloquially, a dendrogram shows how things fit into other things.
Visually, a dendrogram looks like an inverted tree. The language used in referring to parts of a dendrogram follows this tree analogy.
At the very top of the dendrogram is a single node, called the root. The root is considered a commonality across all the observations in the plot.
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February 18, 2022
Overview # A spine plot shows stacked bars with varying widths along two numerical variables – one on each of the vertical and horizontal axis.
The height of the bars correspond to the vertical axis, and the width of the bars correspond to the horizontal axis.
Each bar represents values for a particular group or category.
Visually, it looks like a stacked bar chart with bars of varying widths.
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February 17, 2022
Overview # An error bar is a visual element that can be added on top of a plot to show spread or uncertainty in the underlying data.
The error bars usually represent things like standard deviation, standard error, or margin of error.
Visually, an error bar looks like a line crossing through a feature on the plot. The bar moves along a quantitative (measured) value.
The number of error bars used depends on the number of numerical value types there are.
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February 16, 2022
Overview # An arc daigram is a one-dimensional network graph that highlights clusters and connections.
Think of the points as things, and the lines (or arcs) connecting those things as connections.
Those things can represent people, and the arcs can represent relationships or friendships.
Those things can also represent say countries, and the arcs trade.
Or respectively computers, and data transfers.
At the end of the day, an arc diagram is really a network graph smushed flat.
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February 16, 2022
Overview # Candlestick charts are primarily used in trading, such as for stocks or commodities.
They are designed to convey a few pieces of financial information in a very compact form:
Opening price Closing price High price Low price A candlestick chart is made of a larger section called the real body, and two lines called wicks on either of the top and bottom of the real body.
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February 8, 2022
Overview # A bump plot (or bump chart) is a way to show how rankings change over time.
It shows relative ordering rather than absolute values.
Visually, bump plots look like a variation of line plots.
When to use # Use a bump plot when you’re trying to convey details about relative ordering.
They’re not so great for communicating absolute values over time. For something like that, stick to a more conventional line plot.
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