Stat 1 Fall 2008 - Homework 1

Find two graphics from any source: the web, magazines, newspapers, books, etc. One of these should be an example of what you think is a (generally) good graphic. The other should be an example of what you think is a (generally) bad graphic. (Clearly label which is which.) For each graphic, briefly (in a few sentences) describe its strengths and weaknesses: What's good about this graphic? What's bad about it?

For the bad graphic, redesign it to make it better, so that its meaning is clearer or more appropriate. For the good graphic, redesign it to make it worse, so that its meaning is less clear or less appropriate. Don't make the graphic incorrect; just redesign it so that the features of the data it shows are not as evident or not as well displayed. Explain briefly (in a few sentences) how your redesigns make the graphic better or worse.

You may use a computer program (e.g., Excel, Photoshop, etc.), or you may sketch the redesigned graphics by hand. If you do not have access to the actual data, sketch a reasonable approximation of it in your redesign.