Imagine a chart that looks fancy, with 3D elements, flashy colors, and intricate patterns. It might grab your attention, but when you try to understand the data, it’s all murky. This, according to Calling Bullshit by Bergstrom and West, is a perfect example of a “duck.”
Ducks are data visualizations that prioritize aesthetics over clarity. They might look impressive, but they often mislead viewers by obscuring or manipulating data.
Ducks employ various tactics to mislead:
- While a 3D bar chart can add depth, it can also distort data relationships and make comparisons difficult.
- A pie chart with too many slices becomes cluttered and hard to decipher trends.
- A line graph drowning in decoration might obscure the actual trend of the data.
- Axes might be stretched or shrunk to exaggerate changes or hide important details.
- Unnecessary visual elements like excessive grids, patterns, or clip art become distractions, taking attention away from the data itself.
Clear Communication is Key
Instead of falling prey to “ducks,” use clear and concise data visualizations that prioritize the message:
- Simple Line Charts: Often the best option for showcasing trends and relationships.
- Bar Charts with Clear Labels: With an axis to zero, these are effective for comparing categories.
- Scatter Plots: Useful for identifying correlations between variables.
In today’s information age, clear and honest data visualization is crucial. Ducks can be used to manipulate public opinion, promote agendas, or simply mislead viewers. By understanding Ducks and advocating for clear data visualization, we can become more critical consumers of information presented through charts and graphs.