A Checklist for Statistical Pictures

1. Overall Impression
   • Is the message clear?
   • Is the purpose clear?
   • Is there any clutter?
2. Source
   • Is the source of the data given?
   • Is the source reliable?
3. Labeling
   • Is labeling clear?
   • Do the axes start at 0? (If not, is this clearly indicated? is it being used to deceive?)
   • Is scale constant? (especially time intervals)
   • Is scale linear? (area can be used to exagerate differences)
   • Are there any breaks along axis? are they easy to spot?
   • Was inflation adjustment made? (financial data over time)

This page maintained by:
Randall Pruim
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Calvin College
rpruim@calvin.edu