CBDA Data Visualization & Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chart type is BEST suited for showing the distribution of a single continuous variable in a business data report?
- Pie chart
- Histogram (Correct answer)
- Stacked bar chart
- Scatter plot
Correct answer: Histogram
A histogram displays the frequency distribution of a continuous variable by grouping values into bins.
Question 2: When presenting findings to non-technical executives, a CBDA analyst should prioritize which of the following?
- Raw data tables with full detail
- Technical jargon to demonstrate expertise
- Clear visual narratives tied to business outcomes (Correct answer)
- Complex statistical formulas
Correct answer: Clear visual narratives tied to business outcomes
Non-technical audiences need insights framed around business impact, not technical details.
Question 3: A scatter plot with a trend line is MOST useful for communicating which type of relationship?
- Part-to-whole proportions
- Correlation between two continuous variables (Correct answer)
- Frequency of categorical values
- Change over discrete time periods
Correct answer: Correlation between two continuous variables
Scatter plots with trend lines reveal the direction and strength of correlation between two continuous variables.
Question 4: Which color practice is recommended when designing accessible data visualizations for business reports?
- Use red and green to indicate good and bad
- Rely solely on color to differentiate data series
- Use color-blind-safe palettes supplemented by labels or patterns (Correct answer)
- Maximize the number of colors for visual interest
Correct answer: Use color-blind-safe palettes supplemented by labels or patterns
Color-blind-safe palettes with supporting labels or patterns ensure all audience members can interpret the visualization.
Question 5: What is 'data ink ratio' as defined by Edward Tufte and why does it matter for CBDA analysts?
- The percentage of accurate data in a report
- The proportion of ink used to convey information versus decorative elements (Correct answer)
- The ratio of charts to text on a dashboard
- The compression rate of exported chart files
Correct answer: The proportion of ink used to convey information versus decorative elements
A high data-ink ratio means most visual elements serve to convey information, reducing chartjunk and improving clarity.
Question 6: A business analyst needs to compare sales performance across 12 months for five product lines. Which visualization is MOST appropriate?
- Five separate pie charts
- A grouped or stacked line chart with one line per product (Correct answer)
- A single bar chart summing all products
- A table with raw monthly figures only
Correct answer: A grouped or stacked line chart with one line per product
A multi-line chart allows direct comparison of trends across all five product lines over the same time axis.
CBDA Data Visualization & Communication 1
Which chart type is BEST suited for showing the distribution of a single continuous variable in a business data report?