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Data Visualization: Types of data visualizations

Types of data visualizations

The many different types of data visualizations can be roughly organized in several different ways, grouped here by their elements and the types of data they showcase. The below visualizations include some of the most common types but are no where near comprehensive.

More visualization types and their details can be found at:

Tables

Tables, sometimes known as data tables or text tables, are a simple type of visualization that allow for efficient display. Data is often first visualized in table format and then subsets of the dataset are visualized in more pattern-based types.

Tables

Table of highest level of attainment for Canadians aged 25-64, 2016 Census

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2016

Graphs

Graphs use a reference system like x and y axes or coordinates and can show either qualitative or quantitative data. Common graphs include:

Bar graphs

Common graph type to show comparisons between categories.

Bar graph of the mother tongue language of Canadians in 2016; English most common then French, then non-official language.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2016.

Line graphs

Common graph type that shows trends, particularly over time.

Line graph of the unemployment rate in Canada for 2020, large spike in Spring

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2020.

Scatterplots

Shows the relationship between two numeric variables like height and weight. Can also feature a trend line.

Scatterplot of fictional height and weight data where the two are correlated

Source: Randomly generated data

Bubble graphs

Enhanced scatterplot, with another variable mapped to the size of the dot.

Bubble graph of North and South America countries' GDP per capita crossed with life expectancy (2007)

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, 2008.

Charts

Often used interchangeably with graphs (ex. "bar chart"), charts can show either quantitative or qualitative data without using a reference system like axes. Common charts include:

Pie chart

Commonly used to showcase the proportion of each category to the whole, where the percentage of each wedge should total to 100%,

Pie chart of the percentage of total world population by region in 2007

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, 2008.

 

Word cloud

Shows the frequency of words in a text by having the size of each word proportional to the frequency of each word.

Word cloud of the text of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Source: Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813

Maps

Maps display geospatial-related data, anything from a street-level to country-level and beyond, and can be enhanced using a variety of different types of maps. 

Source: Scholars GeoPortal

Dashboards

Dashboards are tools that combine multiple data visualizations to track, monitor, and analyze important data points and metrics. They often are set up to update automatically.

Infographic of an example dashboard by Google Data Studio

Source: Google Data Studio

Networks

Network layouts use a combination of nodes for data points and links between nodes to indicate relationships. Common types include:

Network graphs 

 

Network graph created by Gephi

Source: Gephi 

Sankey Diagrams

 

Trees

Uses nodes and edges in a hierarchical format to showcase the system's relationship.

Tree relationship of vertebrates types to blood type to animal group

Tree maps

Uses spatial mapping to nest hierarchies and can showcase the proportion of a part to the whole.

Tree map of the fictional count of furniture items

Source: Randomly generated data

Infographics

Infographics combine graphs and charts with visual imagery and text to quickly and clearly communicate information.

Infographic of the journey of Statistics Canada Data and why it matters to the public

Source: Statistics Canada