3.4 Graphical displays should…

• “Excellence in statistical graphics consists of complex ideas communicated with clarity, precision and efficiency” (Tufte 2001, 2:13)
• “Graphics reveal data. Indeed graphics can be more precise and revealing than conventional statistical computations.” (Tufte 2001, 2:13)
• "Graphical displays should:
  • show the data
  • induce the viewer to think about the substance rather than about methodology, graphic design, the technology of graphic production or something else
  • avoid distorting what the data has to say
  • present many numbers in a small space
  • make large data sets coherent
  • encourage the eye to compare different pieces of data
  • reveal the data at several levels of detail, from a broad overview to the fine structure
  • serve a reasonably clear purpose: description, exploration, tabulation or decoration
  • be closely integrated with the statistical and verbal descriptions of a data set." (Tufte 2001, 2:13)
• Remember the The “best” graph ever drawn.

References

Tufte, Edward R. 2001. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Vol. 2. Graphics press Cheshire, CT.