Assignment 3

Assignment: Data Representation

Graphs represent data in an engaging manner and make comparisons and analyses easier. For example, a graph depicting the number of crimes committed each year over a decade is easier to comprehend visually than reading the numerical values for each year. Before creating a graph, however, it is important to choose one that appropriately represents the data. A histogram, rather than a pie chart, is appropriate for depicting the age groups (e.g., 15–24, 25–34) of murder victims in a city. Histograms are designed to be used with variables that are categorized, but pie charts plot each value. Therefore, it would be easier to read a histogram showing bars for age groups of murder victims than a pie chart in which every single age would have to be plotted. In the past, creating graphs was cumbersome and time consuming, but present-day software programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel provide tutorials that walk you through the process. With knowledge of these software programs, you can create customized charts and figures to represent your research data in visually interesting ways. In this Assignment, you create at least two different graphs in Excel or Word that can be used to illustrate hypothetical data related to six incidents of crime.

• Briefly describe the data represented in the graphs and/or charts you created.
• Explain why the graphs and/or charts you created best represent the data compared to other options. Be specific.
  • Be sure to utilize the materials in the Learning Resources to help you better understand the options for charts and graphs and why you would use one over another.

Submit the graphs you created in a document that is separate from your written Assignment.