descriptivecharting
Descriptivecharting is a term used to describe a practice in data visualization and reporting that emphasizes communicating the main features of a dataset through descriptive charts and accompanying narrative. It centers on summarizing data characteristics rather than testing hypotheses or making predictions. The goal is clarity, accuracy, and accessibility for diverse audiences.
Key elements include choosing appropriate chart types (for example histograms to show distributions, box plots for
The process involves data cleaning, selecting relevant variables, and applying consistent scales; designing legible visuals using
Applications include journalism, corporate reporting, policy analysis, education, and scientific communication, where the aim is to
Relationship to statistics: descriptivecharting emphasizes description and visualization of data features. It does not establish causation
Limitations and ethics: there is a risk of cherry-picking or misleading presentation through selective charts, scale
Example: a quarterly sales report might present total sales, regional breakdowns, and a trend line with annotations