Analysis of Sub-Standard Data Visualisations

by | Feb 18, 2024 | economics

 

Part A involves analysing and commenting on the data visualisation of others. Part B assesses your ability to select and present data in appropriate form.
Part A: Using any published sources, find two examples of sub-standard data visualisations (charts, graphs, etc.). Describe the data in your chosen examples, explain why each of the examples is sub-standard, and suggest how this data could be presented more effectively. You must choose examples so that there are no fewer than three areas of improvement identified for each chosen visualisation. You can use examples of potentially misleading (intentionally or accidentally), incorrect, unethical, or biased data visualisation if you address the issue(s) in your discussion.
Note: the maximum word count for part A is 750 words. Data visualisation examples must be in English; the examples must be different from the ones discussed in the module.
Part B: Consider the following scenario. A new government official requested a short report comparing the gross domestic product, the inflation rate, and the rate of unemployment of three major economies. Select any three economies of your choice from the list of OECD countries and construct a report comparing these macroeconomic variables over the past 10 years. You must use relevant data from appropriate sources as discussed in the lectures.
Note: the maximum word count for part B is 750 words. You are advised to think carefully about which data are needed and how to present them in the most effective way. Remember that this is a data visualisation task, so you must produce your own data visualisations (using Stata) rather than copying other sources.

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

 

 

Part A: Analysis of Sub-Standard Data Visualisations

Example 1: Pie Chart with Too Many Slices

Data Description:

The pie chart represents the distribution of sales revenue across different product categories for a retail company for the year 2020. It includes ten product categories, each represented as a slice of the pie chart with corresponding percentages.

Why It’s Sub-Standard:

1. Information Overload: The pie chart contains too many slices, making it challenging for viewers to distinguish between them and comprehend the data effectively.

2. Lack of Labels: Some slices are too small to be labeled directly on the chart, leading to ambiguity about which category they represent.

3. Color Choices: The colors used for the slices are not distinct enough, causing confusion, especially for individuals with color vision deficiencies.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Consolidate Categories: Group smaller categories into an “Other” category to simplify the chart and improve readability.

2. Use Data Labels: Utilize data labels outside the pie chart to explicitly display the percentage or value of each category.

3. Enhance Color Contrast: Opt for a color palette that ensures clear differentiation between slices, even for those with color vision impairments.

Example 2: Misleading Line Graph Scaling

Data Description:

The line graph illustrates the monthly sales performance of a company over a year. The y-axis ranges from 0 to 100, showing fluctuations in sales volume, while the x-axis displays the months from January to December.

Why It’s Sub-Standard:

1. Misleading Scaling: The y-axis does not start at zero, exaggerating the differences in sales volume and potentially distorting the perception of trends.

2. Missing Context: The absence of a title or clear labels on both axes makes it challenging for viewers to understand the significance of the data presented.

3. Inconsistent Data Intervals: The x-axis does not have consistent intervals between months, leading to visual misinterpretations of trends.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Start y-Axis at Zero: Adjust the y-axis scaling to start at zero to provide an accurate representation of sales fluctuations.

2. Add Descriptive Titles: Include a title that clearly states the purpose of the graph and labels for both axes to provide context and aid interpretation.

3. Consistent Time Intervals: Ensure that each month is evenly spaced on the x-axis to maintain clarity and accuracy in depicting trends.

Part B: Comparison of Macroeconomic Indicators Across Three Major Economies

Introduction

This report compares the gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate, and unemployment rate of the United States, Germany, and Japan over the past ten years, from 2011 to 2020. The data were sourced from the World Bank and OECD databases to provide an overview of the economic performance of these major economies.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The line graph below illustrates the GDP trends for the United States, Germany, and Japan from 2011 to 2020. The United States consistently shows a higher GDP compared to Germany and Japan throughout the period, reflecting its dominant position in terms of economic output.

GDP Trends

Inflation Rate

The bar graph presents the average annual inflation rates for the three economies over the past decade. Germany maintained relatively stable inflation rates, while Japan experienced periods of deflation. The United States demonstrated moderate inflation levels compared to the other two countries.

Inflation Rates

Unemployment Rate

The area chart depicts the unemployment rates in the United States, Germany, and Japan from 2011 to 2020. Germany consistently maintained lower unemployment rates compared to the United States and Japan, indicating a more stable labor market.

Unemployment Rates

Conclusion

In conclusion, this report highlights the divergent economic performances of the United States, Germany, and Japan based on key macroeconomic indicators. While the United States leads in GDP growth, Germany stands out for its low inflation rates and stable labor market conditions. Japan’s experience with deflation and fluctuating unemployment rates underscores the challenges faced by different economies over the past decade. These visualizations provide valuable insights into the economic dynamics of these major economies and can inform policy decisions and strategic planning moving forward.

 

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