Review

Review the assigned reading along with 

How to Spot a Misleading Graph

(00:04:10) (opens in new window) and

Potential Misleading Graphics

[DOWNLOAD], to prepare for this discussion.

https://course.lapu.edu/pluginfile.php/1029430/mod_hsuforum/post/2328870/Week%203%20discussion%20Misleading-Graph-with-Axes

The graphic pictured here appeared on a cell phone bill in an attempt to show the monthly charges for three consecutive months. Note that the graph is zoomed in, and so, at first glance, it appears that from June to July there was a noticeable increase in the monthly charges. However, after taking a closer look, you will notice that the monthly charges increased by only $0.01 from June to July. The slope of the line from June to July is slightly positive ($0.01 per month). The slope of the line from July to August is zero, as there is no change in price. This graph is misleading because of the way the y-axis is scaled. The y-axis represents the amount of the bill in pennies, and the y-axis does not start at 0. The x-axis is scaled by months, with only three months appearing on the graph, though the distance between consecutive months is the same, and therefore represented appropriately.

Graphs are used in a variety of ways to convey information to a reader. Sometimes, though, graphs can be misleading, which is why it is important to note the labels, scale, numbers, and context of the graph before jumping to conclusions.

Respond

Choose one of the three graphs pictured in the Potential Misleading Graphics[DOWNLOAD], and respond to the following questions.

• What do the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes represent on the graph?
• What information are you missing, if any, in order to be able to fully understand this graph?
• What point might a person try to make by including this graph in an article, advertisement, or presentation?
• Why could this graph be considered misleading? How might you recreate the graph so that it is no longer misleading?

  Identify the purpose for the inclusion of the graph in the article.

• Do you think this graph is potentially misleading because of the way it was drawn? Why or why not?

Requirements

• Initial Response: 150-250 words

Graph1: Los Angeles Climate Information

Two line graphs, one representing the average high temperature and one representing the average
low temperature, and one bar graph representing average precipitation are positioned between two
vertical axes. The vertical axis on the left is measured in degrees Fahrenheit, starting with 40
degrees Fahrenheit and ending with 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The vertical axis on the right is
measured in inches, starting with 0 inches and ending with 6 inches of precipitation. The horizontal
(x) axis is measured in months from January to December, with equal spacing between months.

The bar graph, representing precipitation, identifies a maximum value in February, of just over 5
inches of precipitation and minimum values in July and August of 0 inches of precipitation.

The line graph representing average high temperatures has a maximum value of about 79 degrees
Fahrenheit between July and August and a minimum average high temperature of about 67 degrees
Fahrenheit from January to March, and again in December. The average high temperature gradually
increases from January until July/August and then decreases more steeply from July/August to
December.

The line graph representing average low temperatures has a maximum value of about 62 degrees
Fahrenheit that remains constant from the beginning of July to the middle of September. The
minimum average low temperature is about 51 degrees Fahrenheit, and the minimum temperature
is constant from January to the middle of March before increasing steadily to the maximum low
temperature. From the middle of September to December, the average low temperature steadily
decreases until again reaching an average low temperature of 51 degrees Fahrenheit in December.

A single line graph models the United States unemployment rate from 2008 to 2018. The
horizontal (x) axis spans from the year 2006 to 2020. The vertical (y) axis represents the percent
unemployment, beginning with 4% and ending with 11%.

The unemployment rate in 2008 is 7.3% and increases sharply to a maximum unemployment
rate in 2009 of 10%. There is a slight decline in the line graph to 9.9% in 2010, and then a
gradual, but continuous decline until the year 2018, where the unemployment rate reached
4.1% (the minimum value on this graph).

The graphic displays three distinct line graphs, all of which follow a similar downward trajectory.
None of the line graphs intersect. Additionally, each line graph has been created based on nine
distinct points, corresponding to nine years ranging from 1990 to 2016. The bottom line graph
represents neonatal mortality rate. The middle line graph represents infant mortality rate, and
the top line graph represents under-5 mortality rate. The horizontal (x) axis spans from the year

1990 to 2018. The vertical (y) axis increases by 10, from 0 to 100.

The bottom line graph (neonatal mortality rate) has a maximum value of 36.8 in the year 1990
and a minimum value of 18.6 in 2016. The neonatal mortality rate declines gradually from 1990
to 2016.

The middle line graph (infant mortality rate) has a maximum value of 64.8 in the year 1990 and
a minimum value of 30.5 in 2016. The infant mortality rate declines gradually from 1990 to
2016.

The top line graph (under-5 mortality rate) has a maximum value of 93.4 in the year 1990 and a
minimum value of 40.8 in 2016. The under-5 mortality rate declines gradually from 1990 to
2016, though the largest decline is seen between the years 1996 and 2006.

• Graph 1: Los Angeles Climate Information

Graph 2: United States Unemployment Rates 2008-2018
Graph 3: Global Under-five, Infant and Neonatal Mortality Rates,
1990-2016