Diverging bar charts for survey data

Note

This application exercise is completed in class and submitted via a worksheet.

We have seen four primary methods for constructing diverging bar charts for survey data.

1. Stacked bar charts: all responses are plotted in a single bar, with negative responses on the left and positive responses on the right. Neutral responses are included in the middle of the bar.
2. Diverging, with extra neutrals: negative and positive responses are plotted in separate bars on either side of the origin, with neutral responses in a distinct, separate subplot.
3. Diverging, integrated neutrals: negative and positive responses are plotted in separate bars on either side of the origin, but neutral responses are centered around the origin.
4. Split bars: each response category is plotted in a separate facet, with negative responses on the left and positive responses on the right. Neutral responses are plotted in their own facet in the middle.

(a) Stacked bar charts

(b) Diverging, with extra neutrals

(c) Diverging, integrated neutrals

(d) Split bars

Figure 1: An example of each of the four methods for plotting diverging bar charts for survey data.

Your turn: Evaluate each of the four methods for plotting diverging bar charts, specifically identifying how it enables (or does not) specific tasks.

	Stacked bar charts	Diverging, with extra neutrals	Diverging, integrated neutrals	Split bars	How important do we think it is?
Read percentage of values of     and
Read percentage of values of
Read percentage of values of
Read percentage of values of
Read percentage of values of
Read percentage of values of
Read percentage of values of     and

Acknowledgments

• Exercise drawn from The case against diverging stacked bars by Lisa Charlotte Muth and Gregor Aisch

NoteSession information

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