EDA Capstone

EDA Chart Choice Readout

Pick the Smallest Useful Chart

Start by naming the beginner question. Then match the data shape to a simple visual shape. The goal is not to memorize theory. The goal is to choose a chart that lets the next readout be direct and visible.

A tiny chart-choice guide: start from a beginner question, choose the smallest visual shape that answers it, and avoid turning the choice into dense theory.

highlighted = computed this step

Start from the question

Start with 4 beginner questions before picking any chart.

question first\text{question first}
Question Firstbeginner questiondata shapeWhat are the exact rows?rows and columnsWhich category is largest?category countsWhere is each ordered point?ordered labels and valuesDo two measurements move together?x-y pairs

Match a chart shape

Match those questions to 4 small chart choices: table, bar, dot, and scatter.

match chart shape\text{match chart shape}
Chart Choice Guideif you needusebecauseexact rowstableread cellscategory countsbarcompare sizesordered pointsdotsee each pointx-y pairsscatterread pairs together

Check tiny examples

Use tiny examples to check that each chart answers the question directly.

tiny examples\text{tiny examples}
Tiny Example Checkstoy datachartreadoutraw survey rowstableread the exact entrieschannel countsbaremail is largestdaily valuesdotThu is the peakhours and scorescatterdots rise together

Keep the rule small

Rule: choose the smallest chart that answers the pinned question.

smallest useful chart\text{smallest useful chart}
Small Chart Rulechoicewhen it helpstableuse when exact rows matterbaruse when category sizes matterdotuse when ordered individual points matterscatteruse when x-y pairs matter