figurewidely

Figurewidely is a neologism used in data visualization and statistical communication to describe practices that deliberately emphasize the breadth of a data distribution rather than its central tendency. The term signals an intention to reveal full range, variability, and context, rather than focusing narrowly on averages or medians.

Origin and usage: The word arose in online discussions among data visualization practitioners in the 2010s and has since been used as both a noun and a verb. In practice, to figurewide a chart means to present data in a way that shows distributional features prominently, often by choosing scales, plots, and annotations that convey spread and outliers as meaningful information.

Techniques and applications: Figurewidely can involve using axis scales that reflect true ranges (including outliers), employing distribution-aware visuals such as histograms, violin plots, and box plots, and presenting multiple perspectives side by side (small multiples) for subgroups. It may also include reporting several summary statistics (mean, median, percentiles) and providing contextual benchmarks. The goal is to reduce truncation bias and improve interpretability, while balancing clarity and accuracy.

Reception and caveats: Advocates argue that figurewidely promotes a more honest view of data. Critics warn that it can overwhelm audiences or exaggerate perceived differences if not labeled clearly and paired with proper context, such as axis labels, units, and sample sizes.

See also: data visualization, statistical literacy, axis scale, distribution, data storytelling.