Chart & Graph Types
By: Enos Jeba
Tags: Data Science, Graph, Visualization, Charts, Data Visualization

Data Visualization is a powerful way to simplify the complexity in our data and present it in a form which is comprehensible, insightful and actionable. From early caveman paintings to today’s sophisticated information dashboards, we have used data viz in some form or the other since time immemorial. Data Visualization is the process of presenting data in the form of graphs or charts. It helps to understand large and complex amounts of data very easily.

Visualizations act as a campfire around which we gather to tell stories.

―Al Shalloway

Line Graph

Used to Visualize data spread over Time

Every data point is plotted on the graph and are connect with a line to understand the trend over a time span

Multi-Line Graph

Line graphs can reflect multiple data sets with lines of varying patterns or color

Bar Graphs

Simple way to compare different categories

One Axis contains the categories while the other represents the values

Ideal to compare numeric values or data associated with numerical values

Box Plot

Used to visualize Distribution Shape of the data, to find the Central Value of it and learn about the Variability of it

Minimum The minimum value in the given dataset

The minimum value in the given dataset First Quartile (Q1) The first quartile is the median of the lower half of the data set

The first quartile is the median of the lower half of the data set Median The median is the middle value of the dataset, which divides the given dataset into two equal parts. The median is considered as the second quartile

The median is the middle value of the dataset, which divides the given dataset into two equal parts. The median is considered as the second quartile Third Quartile (Q3) The third quartile is the median of the upper half of the data.

The third quartile is the median of the upper half of the data. Maximum The maximum value in the given dataset.

Apart from these five terms, the other terms used in the box plot are

Interquartile Range (IQR) The difference between the third quartile and first quartile is known as the interquartile range. (i.e.) IQR = Q3-Q1

The difference between the third quartile and first quartile is known as the interquartile range. (i.e.) IQR = Q3-Q1 Outlier The data that falls on the far left or right side of the ordered data is tested to be the outliers. Generally, the outliers fall more than the specified distance from the first and third quartile.

Pie Chart

Most efficient Visualization when comparing parts of Whole

Can give a Quick comparison between allocations or segments of a elements in a data

Mosaic or Mekko Charts

Used to Visualize multivariate data

Can compare multiple categories and illustrate all the variables in clear and straightforward manner

The Size and Color of each cross section corresponds to it’s segment

Population Pyramids

Ideal Visualization to visualize two groups

The graph generally makes itself appear as a pyramid

A population pyramid that is not in it’s general shape indicates irregularity in a population

Population pyramid aren’t always used to compare population by age, thus do not go with the name

Spider Charts

If you are a Player Unknown’s Battleground fan you might be familiar with this chart displaying your kill streaks and abilities in your profile

Used to compare and visualize 3 or more Quantitative Variable

Also known as Radar Chart / Star Chart

The chart is equipped with series of radii spread from the center point

The length of the spoke is proportionate to the value being compared. The spokes are then connected with a line of a designated pattern

Stock Charts

This chart helps investors to track the markets

The graph provides the performance of the stock with the line and thus helping the investor to determine buying decisions

It provides data over a period of time

Multiple stocks can be tracked and compared at the same time

Flow Charts

Used to explain the process either in business or a app or any industrial activity

either in business or a app or any industrial activity It has a sequence of steps involved in the beginning to the end of the process

They can have multiple beginnings and ends

There may also countless pathways and journey’s from beginning to the end

Frequently used to illustrate more complex sequence with multiple decisions or conditions

Gnatt Charts

Special type of graph used to direct schedules

The bars reflect the project with the start and end dates

The bars are color coded to understand the workflow involving different teams

Control Charts

Also known as Process Behavior chart

Helps determine if a data set falls within a mean or predetermined range

The mean is of each point calculated and the center line of the graph is on the mean value

Then a Standard Deviation from the mean is calculated using each point

The upper and lower control limits are determined and diagrammed to reflect the point at which deviation is beyond expected standards

Waterfall Chart

Used in accounting and qualitative analysis

Illustrates how an initial value is positively or negatively affected by various factors

Also known as Floating Bricks or Mario Charts as they often appear as bars floating throughout the graph

Hierarchy Diagrams

Used to illustrate a structure of a Organization and the relationship within it

of a Organization and the relationship within it Can illustrate the chain of command from any employee all the way to the top

Also used to display scientific classification, demographics and any data with similar distribution

Scatter Plot

Data points are scattered across two axis

Multiple data can be plotted with different colors to understand trend or groupism

Also known as Scattergram

Trellis Plot

Used to compare more data sets which can be represented by a single graph

Also known as Lattice graph or Lattice plot

Function Plots

Used to determine the value of an equation by graphing its result

by graphing its result The graph of a function is the set of all points whose coordinates satisfy the equation

Function graphs of common shapes are visually associated with their corresponding algebraic formulas

Binary Decision Diagrams

Used to illustrate the path from one decision to another

The choice of path is between two alternatives

Can be used with any process whose actions are based on two values i.e. True or False, Yes or No, 1 or 0

Circuit Diagrams

Visual Representation of a Electric Circuit

With the help of simple shapes the interconnections of a circuit can be easily visualized

The pathways and connections are accurate, the diagram does not necessarily represent a proportionate spatial construction of the circuit

Timelines

Displays timeline over a period of time

Significant dates are highlighted associated with its events at the point in which they appear on a chronological scale

Can be used in conjunction with other visualizations

Tree Diagrams

A form of Hierarchical diagram

It can either begin with an ancestor, then diagram his or her descendants, their siblings, marriages and children, and so on

Sunburst Charts

It is a multi-level pie chart

Used to illustrate hierarchical data using concentric circles

Each ring represents a level in the hierarchy, with root node at the center and hierarchy moving out

It can be used to breakdown data of time periods

Different categories can be designated different hues

Rings can be further divided to represent multiple divisions within the same organizational level

A multi-level pie chart, for example, consists of tiers, with each layer representing a separate set of data, and can be the perfect solution

Instead of showing three different charts Multi-level pie charts can take place of three also offering clearer visual comparisons of each result

Stacked Area Charts

Used to diagram changes of multiple variables across time

Lines can be multiplied to represent different states

Stacked Bar Graphs

Can compare multiple variable at once

A stacked bar graph combines elements of the traditional bar graph and the pie graph to communicate totals, trends and proportions in a single illustration

Trellis Bar Graphs

Used to visualize three-dimensional bar graph , but adding an additional axis can sometimes appear cluttered and unclear, especially in printed form

, but adding an additional axis can sometimes appear cluttered and unclear, especially in printed form By combining a series of bar graphs in a modular design, additional sets of data can be easily compared

Venn Diagrams

The classic Venn diagram, also known as a logic diagram, illustrates all possible logical relationships between a designated collection of sets .

. Mostly worked out with circles

The more circles used, the more logical conclusions that can be represented by their overlap

The combined set of all data in the diagram is known as the union

Areas that overlap are called intersections

Trellis Line Graphs

Trellis graphs allow scientists to examine complex, multi-variable data sets , comparing a greater deal of information at once

, comparing a greater deal of information at once While a single line graph can illustrate data of a city over a specific time period, trellis line graph will display same data for 50 city in a single graphic

Pareto Charts

Bar Graph + Line Graph = Pareto Charts

= Pareto Charts Used to display not only categories individual values but also the cumulative total of the entire set

The charts highlight the most important of set of factors

Spherical Contour Graphs

A spherical plot

Used to reveal Global Temperature, Rainfall trends by assigning each value with a particular color and then plotting the data with points of corresponding hue

Pictograms

Images and symbols are used to illustrate data

Also known as pictograph

As Images are known to hold more emotional power than raw data, pictograms are often used to present medical data

Anatomical Diagrams

Used to illustrate anatomy, treatments or disease pathology in order to explain treatments for patients and others without an extensive biomedical background

No matter how detailed the drawing, anatomical diagrams are designed to clearly and efficiently present data

Just as with a complex contour diagram, the diagrams focus on key information, even if it was selected from voluminous amounts of medical or scientific data

Contour Plots

Used for the analysis of three variables in a two-dimensional format

Instead of plotting data along two main axes, the graph also presents a third value that is based on shading or color

Heat Maps

A heat map specifically charts varying changes at different data points with the help of color

Scatter-Line Combo

Used to illustrate relationship between two datasets

3D Graphs

Technology now allows statisticians to display multi-dimensional data sets in true form

Three-dimensional graphs created with specialized software reflect the relationship between three variables plotted across three axes.

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