ABSTRACT
Chapter 11 discusses the management and analysis of data from single variables. Data preparation and organization and the computer programs available for these functions are addressed. The role and increasing importance of geographic information systems in data analysis and presentation are discussed. The increasing use and importance of data visualization is covered.
The bulk of the chapter is devoted to methods for displaying the data from single variables and to the statistics for summarizing and analyzing one variable at a time. Methods for preparing tables and various types of graphs and charts are explained. Several sections are devoted to the calculation of basic statistics and measures of relative frequency. These include the measures of central tendency and variation, which are discussed and illustrated with examples. Concepts of rates and other measures of change are covered. The concept of the normal curve is introduced and its importance explained.
The chapter closes with a discussion of newer approaches to data analysis, presentation, and visualization made more convenient by computers. These include a variety of topics generally known as exploratory data analysis.
