Writing up your undergraduate dissertation
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Transcript Writing up your undergraduate dissertation
Using graphical data
Dr Michelle Reid
Study Adviser, University of Reading
Overview of the workshop
• Why use graphical data?
• Tables, graphs, diagrams, pictures
• What to remember when using graphical data
To start you thinking…
Who writes reports?
Working in pairs:
• List as many different kinds of reports as you can
(e.g. Reports on lab work, reports on field work)
A prize for the longest list!
Why use graphical data?
• Shows information in an easy to understand visual
form
• Adds value – conveys something more than just
writing can
• Helps the reader see trends, patterns, or complex
processes more easily
• Is accurate, relevant, and clear – and has a purpose
Referring to graphical data
• If you include a figure or table, you should always
refer to it and explain what it shows:
e.g. “The Keeling plant's production capacity was
reached in May this year. In contrast, the Hergort
plant has not yet reached 75% of its production
capacity (see Table 13)”.
• Label your figures clearly – figure 1, figure 2, etc
• Make it clear to your audience which one you are
referring to
Main types of graphical data
• Tables
• Bar charts
• Line graphs
• Pie charts
• Drawings / diagrams
• Photographs
Tables are useful for…
• Presenting a quantity of numerical data in
an accessible format
• Showing exact numbers
Using tables
• If you have a lot of data in tables – are they all
essential? Can some be placed in an appendix?
• Make sure your columns and rows are clearly labeled
• Tables can rarely stand alone – you need to describe
in words what the table shows – what are the key
things the reader should look for?
• Graphs may be better for showing trends or patterns
Bar charts are useful for…
• Comparing discrete values or categories
• Comparing a number of different discrete values side
by side (see fig.2)
Internet use by Redwood School students
1995-2002
Figure 1
Figure 2 (From Statistics Canada)
Using bar charts
• Bars can be vertical or horizontal (horizontal is
sometimes best if there are a lot of categories)
• Use of colours can help distinguish between the bars
• Bar charts are not as effective as line graphs at
showing continuous increasing / decreasing trends
Line graphs are useful for…
• Showing trends (how data changes over time)
• Showing relationships (how two variables interact)
Using line graphs
•
Check that your values for the x-axis (horizontal)
and the y-axis (vertical) are correct
•
When plotting trends over time, the x axis is
commonly used to represent units of time, and the
y axis is used to represent quantity
•
Use a sensible scale so that the line’s shape does
not give the audience an incorrect impression of
the data
Line graph scales
Number of guilty crime offenders, Grishamville, 2007
Figure 1
Which scale gives the
most accurate view of
the trend in offender
reduction?
Figure 2
Graphs from Statistics
Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Pie charts are useful for…
• Showing the percentage or proportion of the whole
that is taken by various parts
• percent ÷ 100 x 360 degrees = the number of
degrees
Using pie charts
• Put the %s in as numbers alongside the segments for
ease of reading
• The chart can become difficult to read if there are
too many segments
• Avoid using a pie chart if you have a lot of small %
which are very similar – the segments will be hard to
distinguish
• When comparing two sets of data (e.g. figures for
boys and girls) use a double bar graph, as comparing
segments across two separate pie charts is difficult
Drawings / diagrams are useful for…
• Showing complex
processes or detailed
technical descriptions
• Showing a step-by-step
cycle or process (e.g. in
manufacturing)
Diagram by Eric Pierce
Using drawings / diagrams
• Make sure all your diagrams are large enough and of
sufficiently high quality
• Label and explain each diagram fully
• Reference any diagrams / figures that have been
created by another person
Photographs are useful for…
• Illustrating what is being described
• As visual evidence (e.g. showing a particular site,
scene or landscape)
• When you need “real world” visual evidence, that
can’t easily be drawn
Photo by K. Kiser
Using photographs
• It is tempting to include photos just to make your
report look nice! Always think - what is the purpose
of this photo and what would happen if it wasn’t
there?
• Reference all photos taken by another person
• You may still have to ask permission to use your own
photos if your work is likely to be published (e.g. if it
is of people or a private building etc)
• Check the quality, especially if you are printing colour
photos in black and white
Activity: What’s wrong with this picture?
Working in small groups – each group has a different
image / graph
Assess the use of graphical data – is your figure:
•
•
•
•
Appropriate
Clearly labelled
Accurate
The right scale
Why has this form of graphical data been chosen?
What to remember when using graphical data
Is this necessary, or just decorative?
Have you double checked the data for accuracy?
Is the type of figure (graph / table / diagram) appropriate for
its purpose?
Is the figure labelled clearly with a title?
Does it have a key if necessary?
Is the figure of sufficient size and quality to be easily
interpreted?
Do you describe what the figure shows in words too?
Have you referenced all figures created by other people?
Further resources
LearnHigher report writing webpages
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/learningareas/reportwriting/home.htm
Guides and exercises on all aspects of reports.
Analyse this! (Manchester Metropolitan)
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/
Simple and accessible guide to data analysis
Any questions?
Thank you and good luck with your report
writing!