Let’s assume that a bad chart is a chart that breaks basic perceptual laws, contains too much fluff, do not respect data relationships and do not clearly answer the underlying question (if you can find one). Why do people make such charts? Below you can find some reasons. Check the ones you agree with. You can select as many as you wish, but do try to choose the more relevant ones.
Why do people make bad charts?
- Low graphic literacy rate (65%, 123 Votes)
- Low data analysis skills (59%, 110 Votes)
- Want to impress with special effects (52%, 98 Votes)
- Not changing default chart formats (47%, 88 Votes)
- They actually like them (29%, 54 Votes)
- Wrong training (focused on the applications) (28%, 52 Votes)
- Peer pressure / corporate culture (28%, 52 Votes)
- Following wrong role models (infographics) (26%, 49 Votes)
- Their external client likes them (20%, 38 Votes)
- Using the wrong tools (12%, 23 Votes)
Total Voters: 188
Loading ...Thanks for your answers. If there are reasons lot listed above please discuss them in the comments.
Some bad graphs are intentional to make results appear better than they actually are. You’ve all heard the expression “How to lie with statistics” as well as “How to lie with charts.”
I think most people create bad charts because the tools they use make easier the uglier and more difficult the simpler/cleaner.
It’s impressive how some small tweaks can largely improve the quality of a chart