Appropriate Graphing Technique
Graphs help us examine trends and make comparisons by visually displaying data. Before we can graph a given set of data from a table, we must first determine which type of graph is appropriate for summarizing that data. There are several types of graphs, each with its own purpose, and its own strengths and limitations. Which one we choose depends on the type of data given, and what we are asked to convey to the audience.
Exhibit 20-9 (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, p.556) displays data graphing techniques that are appropriate for oral presentations. When giving an oral presentation on data findings, visualization charts, such as bar graphs or pie charts assist in conveying information to an audience clearly and quickly. Reynolds suggest a presenter should “only give the audience what they need to understand your findings and conclusions. Ideas reduced to their most simplistic tend to “stick” in the mind of the audience” (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, p.557).
The principle of salience suggests that an audience’s attention is drawn to large distinctive differences. Therefore, pie charts or bar graphs are often used to highlight such differences (Cooper & Schindler, 2014, p.557).
Selecting an Appropriate Graph to Show the Difference between Men’s and Women’s Attitudes on Super Bowl Ads.
Advertisers spend millions of dollars each year on Super Bowl ads in which they hope will appeal to an audience enough to persuade them to buy the goods or services they are promoting. A recent study conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that US adults would spend an average $68.27 on Super Bowl related items ("Super Bowl Game Itself Drives Viewers - eMarketer," 2014). With 181 million consumers, three-quarters of all US adults, expected to watch the game, total spending will reach $12.3 billion ("Super Bowl Game Itself Drives Viewers - eMarketer," 2014). With viewers investing so much in the...