Data visualizations are a vital component of a data analysis, as they have the ability to efficiently summarize large amounts of data through a graphical format. There are many chart types available, each with their own strengths and use cases. One of the trickiest parts of the analysis process is choosing the right way to represent your data using one of these visualizations. When deciding on a chart type, first think about the type of role the chart will serve. Common roles for data visualization include: • showing change over time • showing a part-to-whole composition • depicting flows and processes • looking at how data is distributed • comparing values between groups • observing relationships between variables • looking at geographical data Next, consider the types of data you want to plot. The type of chart you use will depend on if the data is categorical, numeric, or some combina tion of both. Certain visualizations can also be used for multiple purposes depending on these factors. This book is organized with this approach in mind, with one chapter for each visualization role, each with multiple chart types to cover common types of data and subtasks. Note that this document should only serve as a general guideline: it is pos sible that breaking out of the standard modes will help you gain additional insights. Experiment with not just different chart types, but also how the variables are encoded in each chart. It’s also good to keep in mind that you aren’t limited to showing everything in just one plot. It is often better to keep each individual plot as simple and clear as possible, and instead use multiple plots to make comparisons, show trends, and demonstrate rela tionships between multiple variable Source: Aqsa Z