Post by Selina Gable

23 days ago

Week 4 Discussion

I chose graph number 2, United States Employment Rates. The type of graph is a single line graph. It is showing from 2008 to 2018. The horizontal line represents (x) and the vertical line represents (y). I believe the graph has some additional information that isn’t needed. The graph shows the unemployment rate in 2008 is 7.3% and increases in unemployment in 2009 by 10%. There is a continuous decline until the year 2018. I don’t think the graph was misleading, but it is confusing because of the additional information on the graph. It should have started at 2008 instead of 2006 and should have ended at 2018 instead of 2020. The videos did help me understand what to look for in misleading graphs.

Post by Victoria Martinez

24 days ago

Re: Week 4 | Discussion – How to Spot a Misleading Graph

I chose graph number 2 which shows the unemployment rate in the United States between 2008 and 2018. The x axis shows the year and spans from 2006 to 2020. The y axis represents the percentage rates and spans from 4 percent to 11 percent. 

The graph seems to have all the necessary information to understand the rates of unemployment over that of the 10 year span. I believe this graph was trying to make the point that although unemployment heavily spiked in 2009, since then, its made a consistent and gradual decline over the following 9 years. 

I think this graph could be misleading in a couple of ways. I think that the graph focuses on the 10 year span between 2008 and 2018, however the x axis includes 4 additional years which is unnecessary and could have made the graph even more clear without the extra information. 

I think the way the graph was drawn could potentially have made it harder to understand. I think points on the line could’ve made the graph a little more clear and concise. I also think changing the span of years and percentage on both the y and x axis could’ve made the graph more specific and to the point.