Principles of Engineering

 

Data Representation & Presentation

Data - Information (measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, calculation or transmission.

Database - 1) Collection of similar information in a computer file; a data base can be divided into records and fields; 2) A facility which is a central point for the collection and dissemination of various types of information.

Spreadsheet - Software packages designed to simplify the manipulation and presentation of numbers and text; spreadsheets allow the user to change parameters of the calculation and see the effect on all calculations; also, most spreadsheets have powerful presentation software, such as graphs, bar charts, etc.

Chart - A sheet or map giving information in the form of a table, list or diagram

Types Definitions

Line

1. Shows comparisons
2. Sometimes called a frequency polygon
3. Widely Used
4. Clarifies and communicates relationship through time
5. Don't use more than one comparison for each visual

Bar

1. Called histogram
2. Numerical dimensions are shown in bars or varying length
3. Shows comparisons
4. Multiple comparisons are possible

Pictograph

1. Cartoon or simple drawings depict quantities
2. Make abstract comparisons more concrete
3. Use silhouette leaving out detail
4. Large difference is best
5. Good for young audiences

Pie Chart

1. Division of the whole or parts of the whole
2. Easy to grasp
3. Lay out largest portions first clock-wise position
4. Label larger portions in the circle, smaller out side with connecting lines
5. Don't make the proportions too small -- group if you can

Cosmograph

1. Parts of a whole
2. Similar to a pie chart
3. Less numerical
4. More graphic

Flow Chart

1. Steps in the process
2. Graphically show the sequence of events or the process
3. Shows the relationship of steps in the process but not of different things

Organizational Chart

1. Organizational relationships
2. Chain of commands
3. How one department relates to another
4. Direct and indirect relationships