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Two questions that need to be asked before organizing data: |
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- Who is your audience?
- What story are you trying to tell?
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Three General Ways to Graph Your Data |
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Snapshots Over Time
Examples: |
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 Graduation rates.
- Reading scores throughout the year.
- Rubric scores on "quality producer" throughout a grade span.
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BEST GRAPH: run chart
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Parts of a Whole
Examples: |
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 Proficiency levels on test scores.
- Student demographics: Percent Hispanic, Caucasian, African American, etc).
- Time spent reading within a day.
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BEST GRAPH: pie chart |
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Isolated Pieces of Data
Examples: |
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 Comparison of pre and post tests.
- Fourth grade students reading levels.
- Ratings on staff development satisfaction.
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BEST GRAPH: bar chart |
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There are many varieties of these three basic graphs that you may want to use because they "look good." However, base your choice of graph on its appropriateness first, its clarity in conveying your message second, and finally, how "cool" you think it looks. Test the graph for its ability to clearly communicate the message with a few people before it shared with a larger audience.
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Determining Your Scale |
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If you will be using data to compare with future years, use a scale that shows percents instead of numbers. |
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Write a Caption |
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Do whatever you can to help people understand the story you are trying to tell with your graph. Don't assume that they will "get it" just because you've made a graph.
A caption on your graph can provide a summary of what you want readers to see as they look at the graph. Your caption should be quick to read (just a few words or a short sentence) and clearly stated (no education-eese).
You may also want to consider using an arrow to indicate whether an upward trend is "good" or "bad." |
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