Data Visualization & Reporting Flashcards
7 cards from real CAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Data Visualization & Reporting flashcards as text
What is 'chartjunk' as described by Edward Tufte?
Answer: Visual elements that add clutter without conveying additional information
Tufte coined 'chartjunk' to describe unnecessary decorative elements—3D effects, excessive gridlines, hatching, and ornamental graphics—that distract from the actual data.
A waterfall chart is most appropriate for showing which type of analytical information?
Answer: How an initial value is incrementally increased or decreased to reach a final value
Waterfall charts display sequential additions and subtractions to a starting value, making them ideal for financial analysis, variance decomposition, and bridge analyses.
When should a logarithmic scale be used on a chart axis?
Answer: When the data spans multiple orders of magnitude and multiplicative change is meaningful
Logarithmic scales compress wide value ranges, making multiplicative (percentage) changes visually equal and preventing large values from dominating the chart.
Which type of report is typically automated, scheduled to run at regular intervals, and requires minimal human intervention to produce?
Answer: Operational report
Operational reports are pre-defined, regularly scheduled reports (daily, weekly, monthly) that automatically pull current data to track standard business metrics and processes.
In storytelling with data, what does the 'so what?' principle refer to?
Answer: Ensuring every visualization is clearly linked to a decision or action the audience should take
The 'so what?' principle ensures that every piece of data presented is connected to a relevant business implication or decision, preventing information overload without purpose.
Which visualization technique is most appropriate for displaying geographic distribution of data across US states?
Answer: Choropleth map
A choropleth map shades geographic regions (such as states) according to a data variable's value, making spatial patterns and regional disparities immediately apparent.
What is the primary purpose of using small multiples (trellis charts) in data visualization?
Answer: To compare the same visualization across multiple subgroups or time periods side by side
Small multiples repeat the same chart structure for different subgroups or time periods, enabling direct visual comparison across dimensions without overlapping data.