Eine der ersten Regeln bei Datenvisualisierungen: Die y-Achse vollständig angeben.
Wer die Regeln, darf sie auch brechen: Quartz erläutert, warum sie nicht immer die y-Achse bis zu 0 anzeigen
„Charts should convey information and make a point. We make charts to illustrate ideas that have context beyond their x- and y-axes. Forcing the y-axis to start at zero can do just as much to obscure and confuse the point as the opposite.“
(…)
First, this is why charts have scales. Blaming a chart’s creator for a reader who doesn’t look at clearly labeled axes is like blaming a supermarket for selling someone food he’s allergic to.
Second, the degree to which the chart emphasizes certain aspects of the data is a judgement of storytelling not chart-making. Sure, this mindset can yield misleading displays, but how is that different than words? Charts should be fair, not impartial.“
Zusammengefasst die fünf Quartz-Regeln zu y-Achsen:
- Truncate the y-axis when small movements are important.
- Truncate the y-axis when zero values are ridiculous.
- Use a zeroed y-axis when it doesn’t matter.
- Always use a zeroed y-axis with column and bar charts.
- Never use a zeroed axis on a log scale.
via @a_sator
