Data Presentation - H

Question 1

What are the 12 main ways of presenting data

Answer 1

Data table
Bar chart
Line graph
Scatter graph
Pie Chart
Dot Map
Choropleth map
Proportional symbols map
OS map
Map using GIS
Satellite images
Photographs

Question 2

What are the advantages of a data table

Answer 2

• Gives all data equal visibility
• Can see exact values

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of a data table

Answer 3

• difficult to identify relationships/patterns
• does not visualise data

Question 4

What are the advantages of a bar chart

Answer 4

• accurate representation of data as bars are proportional to values

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of a bar chart

Answer 5

• difficult to see spatial patterns
• without data labels, does not show exact values

Question 6

What are the advantages of a line graph

Answer 6

• can see trends over time
• can identify speed of change over time

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of a line graph

Answer 7

• lines between data points suggest regular change between the points

Question 8

What are the advantages of a scatter graph

Answer 8

• can identify relationships
• can identify anomalies

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of a scatter graph

Answer 9

• a more complex technique which may not be recognised by users
• if no line of best fit - may be difficult to confirm the direction of the relationship
• does not show change over time (unless time is a variable)

Question 10

What are the advantages of a pie chart

Answer 10

• widely recognised technique is easy to understand
• if it has a small number of segments - it is easier to read

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of a pie chart

Answer 11

• may put others into a category
• without data labels it doesn’t show exact values
• if it has a large number of segments it is difficult to read / interpret
• unable to show change over time
• may not be able to show regional / spatial variations

Question 12

What are the advantages of a dot map

Answer 12

• shows distributions clearly

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of a dot map

Answer 13

• clustering may make it impossible to plot and interpret
• large numbers of dots difficult to count and calculate actual figures
• areas with no dots may give a false senesce of emptiness

Question 14

What are the advantages of a choropleth map

Answer 14

• able to show spatial patterns
• able to show all countries

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of a choropleth map

Answer 15

• abrupt changes between areas
• suggests large areas share the same value

Question 16

What are the advantages of a proportional symbols map

Answer 16

• can identify spatial patterns

Question 17

What are the disadvantages of a proportional symbols map

Answer 17

• interpreting areas of symbols can lead to misinterpretation
• where symbols overlap it can be difficult to read

Question 18

What are the advantages of an OS map

Answer 18

-if scale is included - can determine spatial area of different features
- contour lines/ spot heights help to show the relief of the area
- if a key is included it helps the reader to understand the human and physical features shown on the map

Question 19

Wheat are the disadvantages of an OS map

Answer 19

• only shows features the map-maker has decided to show - may not include everything that is really there
• shows only a snapshot in time, features are only correct as at the time the map was created

Question 20

What are the advantages of a map using GIS

Answer 20

• can be used to measure distances
• can add layers to give extra meaning/ insight
• can analyse relief/terrain in software
• can export data to Google Earth

Question 21

What are the disadvantages of a map using GIS

Answer 21

• difficult to identify numeric data/ relationships if not shown

Question 22

What are the advantages of a satellite image

Answer 22

• able top see spatial patterns of land use / vegetation cover / physical features
• shows a visual image of the area rather than a diagram form that a map would show

Question 23

What are the disadvantages of a satellite image

Answer 23

• is a snapshot in time and not able to show change
  Depending on image:
• may not have a scale to determine size of features
• may not have a key to help interpretation of colours
• may not have locational information such as towns or landmarks for reference

Question 24

What are the advantages of photographs

Answer 24

• visual records of that snapshot in time - gives qualitative information
• lots of information can be gathered from one photograph on a variety of topics

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of a photograph

Answer 25

- shows only a snapshot in time - may be biased depending on who took/purpose of the photo