ABSTRACT
This chapter covers . . . . . . how to build a frequency distribution to summarize a variable . . . how to build a crosstabulation to summarize the relationship between two variables . . . troubleshooting a crosstabulation, and how to fi x the trouble you fi nd . . . elaboration, in which we use crosstabulations across multiple groups . . . how to choose appropriate graphs for one, two, and three variables . . . the ways graphs can lie, and how to spot such lies . . . a graph in a top social science journal that lies
INTRODUCTION
In the next chapter, we’ll use statistics to describe a set of data. But, before we do that, I want to go over another major way to describe data: using visuals, such as tables and graphs. In these days of overwhelming amounts of information, tables and graphs are a very common way for people to tell their stories. Or, as we’ll fi nd, tell their lies ! Oh, yes, if you haven’t learned this life lesson yet, allow me to break the news: people lie. This chapter will give you a way to catch them in their lies. Creating a good table or graph is not as easy as it might seem at fi rst. There’s a real art to visual presentation. Although we won’t go into as much detail as one might in a school of graphic design, we’ll cover some of the tricks of the trade.
