Comments on: The right graph, at the right time http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:04:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Efrat http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-11667 Efrat Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:03:57 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-11667 Hello, I am looking for information regarding the biological meaning behind graph trends. Whenever I get a set of results, I am not sure which trend to choose to describe it. I think that the common idea of finding the best matching trend (with the highest r square value) might be a mistake, because there has to be a difference in the meaning of, let's say, exponential trend vs. 4th degree polynomial trend. I would like to receive a link for information that might help me clarify this issue better. Thank you Hello,

I am looking for information regarding the biological meaning behind graph trends. Whenever I get a set of results, I am not sure which trend to choose to describe it. I think that the common idea of finding the best matching trend (with the highest r square value) might be a mistake, because there has to be a difference in the meaning of, let’s say, exponential trend vs. 4th degree polynomial trend. I would like to receive a link for information that might help me clarify this issue better.

Thank you

]]> By: Mike http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-979 Mike Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:29:11 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-979 Thanks for your comment Mr Gunn. I guess the point I was trying to make is that sometimes, especially in presentations, showing too much data can dilute out your message. Showing too many graphs can be overwhelming for an audience. I say this from my own personal experience of watching presentations. Everyone has a different style of course, but I would say try to limit the amount of graphs and charts you use. When you do use them to illustrate a point, they will have more impact. I hope this makes things clearer. Thanks for your comment Mr Gunn. I guess the point I was trying to make is that sometimes, especially in presentations, showing too much data can dilute out your message. Showing too many graphs can be overwhelming for an audience. I say this from my own personal experience of watching presentations.

Everyone has a different style of course, but I would say try to limit the amount of graphs and charts you use. When you do use them to illustrate a point, they will have more impact.

I hope this makes things clearer.

]]> By: Mr. Gunn http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-950 Mr. Gunn Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:24:41 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-950 I'm not sure I understand the point you're making in your example. Are you saying that sometimes it's better to not show the data, and simply state your interpretation instead? That might be appropriate for some situations analogous to "data not shown" in papers, but certainly you would have to show the actual data for most things, right? I’m not sure I understand the point you’re making in your example. Are you saying that sometimes it’s better to not show the data, and simply state your interpretation instead?

That might be appropriate for some situations analogous to “data not shown” in papers, but certainly you would have to show the actual data for most things, right?

]]> By: Bioinformatics Zen » Blog Archive » Using graphs in presentations and keeping your message simple http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-33 Bioinformatics Zen » Blog Archive » Using graphs in presentations and keeping your message simple Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:49:25 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-33 [...] The slides included a couple of graphs, and since I’ve mentioned graphs in presentations previously I thought I’d include a few slides here. The presentation might appear minimal, but I was [...] [...] The slides included a couple of graphs, and since I’ve mentioned graphs in presentations previously I thought I’d include a few slides here. The presentation might appear minimal, but I was [...]

]]> By: Mike http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-22 Mike Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:50:17 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-22 Thanks for the tip and compliment, albrecht. I hadn't heard of gnuplot. Looks like it's worth a look too. Thanks for the tip and compliment, albrecht. I hadn’t heard of gnuplot. Looks like it’s worth a look too.

]]> By: albrecht http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-19 albrecht Sun, 04 Mar 2007 03:47:31 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-19 Hello, another program, really good for graphs, is the gnuplot. The only problem, is that they dont plot pie graphs, but, as did you say before, pie graphs arent good for present informations. Bye and congratulations for the good blog. Hello,

another program, really good for graphs, is the gnuplot.
The only problem, is that they dont plot pie graphs, but, as did you say before, pie graphs arent good for present informations.

Bye and congratulations for the good blog.

]]> By: Mike http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-14 Mike Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:49:44 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-14 Thanks for the tip, Terry. I've heard this book mentioned before , checking out amazon it's got rave reviews. If you've got the time <a href="http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/" rel="nofollow">Presentation Zen</a> has a list of recommended books - about half way down the page in the right column. Your recommendation is there, along with a few other books by Edward R. Tufte too. Thanks for the tip, Terry.
I’ve heard this book mentioned before , checking out amazon it’s got rave reviews.
If you’ve got the time Presentation Zen has a list of recommended books - about half way down the page in the right column.
Your recommendation is there, along with a few other books by Edward R. Tufte too.

]]> By: Terry Delaney http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-11 Terry Delaney Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:11:41 +0000 http://www.bioinformaticszen.com/2007/02/the-right-graph-at-the-right-time/#comment-11 Readers are advised to look at Edward R. Tufte's book* for many examples of effective presentation of numerical data, and advice on avoiding so-called "chartjunk." The books are even fun to read. Terry Delaney, The University of Vermont *The visual display of quantitative information / Edward R. Tufte. 2nd ed. Cheshire, Conn., Graphics Press, c2001. Readers are advised to look at Edward R. Tufte’s book* for many examples of effective presentation of numerical data, and advice on avoiding so-called “chartjunk.” The books are even fun to read.

Terry Delaney, The University of Vermont

*The visual display of quantitative information / Edward R. Tufte. 2nd ed. Cheshire, Conn., Graphics Press, c2001.

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