The Role of Visual Displays of Data

As you read in your textbook reading in this unit, visual displays of data are critical to ensure that the fundamental structure of data is understood. If data are only presented in a summarized, narrative form, misinterpretation can result. Let us look at an example of how this could happen.

Consider the following hypothetical scenario:

A recently-published study found that 76 percent of smart phone users prefer free, ad-supported apps over ones that need to be purchased. This percentage is up from 56 percent a year ago. In addition, the study reports that only 15 percent of smart phone users prefer to pay for ad-free apps; this is down from 32 percent a year ago.

In your initial post, explain which charting method you would select to display these data and why.

Response Guidelines

Please respond to at least two learners. Your responses should be substantive and do at least one of the following:
-Ask a probing question.
-Offer a suggestion.
-Elaborate on a particular point.
-Provide an alternative opinion.

In your responses, reference the assigned readings and other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature as needed to support your views and writing.

Use your Business Research Methods text Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education, to read Chapter 16, "Exploring, Displaying, and Examining Data," in full. This chapter focuses on exploratory data analysis techniques and how to perform data diagnostics based on visual representations of data.