Table of contents

  1. Choosing the correct chart
  2. Choice of data
  3. Comparing data sets – shared horizons
  4. Comparisons of magnitude (size)
  5. Time series
  6. Bar charts for time series
  7. Line charts for time series
  8. Dot plot with line for time series
  9. Multiple time series
  10. Small changes over time, not starting the y-axis at zero
  11. Ranking
  12. Part-to-whole
  13. Deviation
  14. Distribution
  15. Correlation

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Distribution

To show:

  • frequency
  • distribution
  • profile
  • range
  • concentration
  • normal curve
  • population pyramid
  • shape

For one variable

Use a histogram to show a distribution of data. Use small gaps between the bars to emphasise the profile of the data.

Example of histrogram chart showing one variable

Usually resident population aged 0 to 21 years
UK, 2013

A histogram with narrow bars that are close together to show the difference in ages in the usually resident population of the UK in 2013.

For two variables

Use a population pyramid to show the distribution of comparable data sets and highlight differences in the profile of the data.

Example of population pyramid showing two variables

A population pyramid with narrow bars that are close together to show the differences between the data for males and females.

For more than two variables

To compare four variables population pyramids can be overlaid, with the least important data set displayed using an outline pyramid instead of bars.

Example of population pyramid showing multiple variables

A population pyramid with narrow bars that are close together to show the differences between the data for males and females, with a bar for 2010 and a line for 1995.

Small multiple charts can also be used for multiple distributions. Use the same scale to enable comparison across charts.

Example of small multiples chart

A small multiple line chart showing the differences in the distribution between countries.

Box-plots can also be used to compare distributions with two or more variables.

Example of box plot

A box plot chart to show the distribution through boxes and confidence intervals.