The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte (Author). The basic guide on statistical graphics, charts, tables. Idea and practice within the design of information graphics, 250 illustrations of the best (and some of the worst) statistical graphics, with detailed analysis of methods to show information for precise, effective, fast analysis. Design of the excessive-resolution shows, small multiples. Modifying and improving graphics. The data-ink ratio. Time-collection, relational graphics, knowledge maps, multivariate designs. Detection of graphical deception: design variation vs. information variation. Sources of deception. Aesthetics and information graphical displays.
That is the second version of The Visible Display of Quantitative Information. Not too long ago printed, this new edition gives glorious shade reproductions of the various graphics of William Playfair, provides color to other images, and consists of all the changes and corrections collected throughout 17 printings of the first edition.
Years ago, I purchased the first version of VISUAL DISPLAY OF QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION. The second edition supplies excessive-decision coloration reproductions of the several graphics discovered in the first edition. In addition, corrections were made. Nonetheless, to most readers/users, I doubt that the adjustments can be worthy of buying the second edition if one already owns the primary edition.
Edward R. Tufte is a noteworthy scholar and the presentation of the material introduced in this book is awe-inspiring. Tufte has additionally compiled two other books that may be finest described as fairly remarkable. These extra books are entitled, ENVISIONING INFORMATION and VISUAL EXPLANATIONS. All three of those volumes are usually not merely supplemental textbooks; they are works of art.
My intent was to use VISUAL DISPLAY OF QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION as a part of educating my statistics course. College students, but principally faculty, are overly impressed with inferential statistics. Graphics play an vital position in the understanding and interpretation of statistical findings. Tufte makes this level unambiguously clear in his books.
Two features of VISUAL DISPLAY OF QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION are particularly salient in educating a statistics course. First, the concept of regular distribution is wonderfully illustrated on page 140. Here the reader is bolstered with the notion that within the regular course of human events, cultural/social/behavioral/ psychological phenomena often fall into the shape of a traditional distribution.
The fixed appearance of this distribution borders on miraculous. Simply as importantly, it's the basis for correct predications in all areas of science. Tufte's illustration (page one hundred forty) speaks to this problem far more clearly than a one-hour lecture on the significance of the traditional distribution. Which works to indicate -- once again -- "an image is worth a thousand words." Sadly, the illustration on page one hundred forty is small and in black and white. I want the second edition included a larger replica of this photo. A coloration presentation would have been helpful.
Second, Tufte continues his unrelenting pattern to bolster the importance and influence of illustrations in understanding complex concepts. In particular, web page 176 demonstrates the affect of Napoleon's march to Moscow.
The illustration is each profound and eerie. The reader is left with a feeling of loss of life and ache for the foot soldiers.
I divide my graphics work into two classes: BT (Before Tufte) and AT (After Tufte). I hardly ever acknowledge any involvement of a publication from these dark BT days.
Tufte's masterful and dead-on takes about the best way to talk statistical and quantitative information challenges normal assumptions about creating graphical data and divulges, though it isn't his said intention, the weak spot of so many graphics software packages. Simply have a look at his collection of chartjunk and "geese" (his time period for hideous graphics) to see how all of the whistles and bells available to us via computer graphics applications truly obfuscate the interpretation of visible information. By the time you learn how much ink and paper are wasted by created dangerous graphics, you have to be a convert.
And if you're ever fortunate enough to have the prospect to attend certainly one of Tufte's seminars, pawn your PC if that is what it takes.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Edward R. Tufte (Author)
200 pages
Graphics Pr; 2nd edition (May 2001)
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