University of Baghdad

College of Medicine
2023-2024

Title: Graphical Presentations of Data

Grade: 3
Module: RM
Speaker: Dr. Aliaa Makki Al-Safi
Date:21th Sept. 2023
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Objectives:
By the end of this lecture you should be able to:
➢Appreciate the importance of the organization of data.
➢Tabulate the data in a meaningful way.
➢Appreciate the advantages of graphical representation of data.
➢Use appropriate graphic representation, for the data.
➢Interpret the data given in the form of graphical representation.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Importance of the organization of data :

• When a set of data contains only a few entries, a simple
listing of the observations might be sufficient for interpreting the data.
• But usually the number of observations is large; here the data are usually
organized into groups called classes and presented in a table which gives
the number of observations in each group.
Presentation of data into sequence:
• The simplest way to organize a set of data is to present the data in a
sequence.
• Presenting it in a sequence, makes it easy to comprehend and interpret.
• Interpreting large data is difficult even if it is arranged sequentially.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Presentation of Data:
1-Mathmatic presentation.
2-Tabular presentation (Frequency distribution)
➢Qualitative
➢Quantitative
3-Graphical presentation
• Histograms
• Frequency polygon
• Bar charts (Bar graphs)
• Pie charts (Pie graphs)
• Time series graphs
4-Pectorial presentation
 2-Tabular presentation:
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❖ Presentation of data in tables so as to organize them

into a compact, concise& readily comprehensible form.
❖They can display the characteristics of data more efficiently than the
raw data.

There are various ways of organizing& presenting data;

• Simple tables &graphs, however, tables are still very effective
methods.
• They are designed to help the reader obtain an intuitive feeling for
the data at a glance.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Tabular Presentation (Tables):

Table consists of row(S) & column(S), could be 2x2,
2x3.---,or as a List which is the simplest form of table, consists of
two columns only;
• The first giving an identification of the observation unit
• The second giving the value of the variable of that unit.
class frequency
15-24 3
Rows
25-34 5
35-44 2
column
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Criteria of the Proper Table:

a- As simple as possible (it is better to have 2-3 simple tables than
one complicated).
b- Understandable& self explanatory This is done by:
➢The title should be clear (placed above the table), &answer the questions of:
What? Where?& When?
➢Each row and column should be labeled clearly& concisely.
➢Specific unit of the measure for the data should be defined.
➢Total should be placed.
➢Illustrate symbols, code,& abbreviation by putting a footnote below the table.
c- Source of the table (if not original).
d- Avoid too much over ruling.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Types of Tables:
❑Simple Table :including one variable (quantitative or
qualitative ) & the corresponding frequency.
❑Cross tabulation:
✓Two–dimensional tables: two variables are cross classified
✓Three-dimensional tables: three variables are cross-classified (eg.
outcome of treatment by age and sex)
❑ Contingency table: demonstrating the relationship between two or
more variables.
Observations on a number of categorical variables are cross-classified
(association)
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Table 1: Normal B.Wt of total birth (what),

England (where), 1969-1970 (when).
Mother's age (years)
Total Parity

≥30 <30

564,003 49,895 514,108 0

817,973 234,084 583,889 1-3
87,110 64,894 22,216 ≥4

1,469,089 348,873 1,120,213 Total (all parity)

Source. Osborn J.F., (1975). J.R statistic. 24, 75-84.

 3-Graphical presentation of data: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

The use of diagrams to display distribution or characteristics

of one or more sets of data in a compact & readily comprehensible form.
They can provide a better visual appreciation of characteristics of data
than tabular presentation.
Graphs:
• It is a pictorial display of quantitative data using a coordinate system,
where the X is the horizontal axis& the Y is the vertical axis.
• X-axis usually includes the independent variable (method of classification)
• Y-axis includes the dependent variable (frequency or relative frequency or
other indicator)
 General Principles: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

1. Simple, no more lines or symbols should be used in a single

graph than the eye can follow.
2. Self-explanatory.
3. The title should answer the questions of what, where & when?
4. The title can be placed at the top, or at the bottom of the graph.
5. When more than one variable or relation is shown on a graph, each should
be differentiated clearly by a“key”
6. Source, if it's not original.
7. Scale divisions and the units into which the scales is divided should be
indicated clearly.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Arithmetic scale line graph:

• This is particularly beneficial to present the trend of one or more sets of data
(change over time)
• In general the Y-axis is 2/3 the X-axis
• An equal distance represents an equal quantity anywhere on an axis.
• The slop of the line indicates the rate of increase or decrease
• Two or more lines following a parallel path indicate identical rates of increase
or decrease
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Trends for Males University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

and Females United States: 1979-2002

520
Deaths in Thousands

500
480
460
440
420
400
380
79

81

83

85

87

89

91

93

95

97

99

01
Years

Males Females

Source: CDC/NCHS.
Prevalence and incidence of Thalassemia in Iraq 2010-2015 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Arithmetic scale line graph

Trends in Cardiovascular Operations & Procedures University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

United States: 1979-2002

Procedures in Thousands

2000

1500

1000

500

0
79 80 85 90 95 00 01 02
Years

Catheterizations Open-Heart Bypass

PTCA Endarterectomy Pacemakers

Source: CDC/NCHS.
G14
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
Men
Men Women
Women
1200
1200 350
350

FIN-NKA

300
300
1000
1000

UNK-GLA
000

FIN-KUO

000
100000

100000
250
250
800 UNK-BEL
per100

per100
UNK-GLA
rateper

rateper
ICE-ICE UNK-BEL
CAN-HAL 200
200
eventrate

eventrate
DEN-GLO FIN-TUL AUS-NEW
600 POL-WAR FIN-NKA
annual event

annual event
DEN-GLO
RUS-NOI LTU-KAU USA-STA FIN-KUO POL-WAR
NEZ-AUC RUS-MOI
Average annual

150
150

Average annual
RUS-NOC CAN-HAL
RUS-MOC FIN-TUL RUS-NOI
USA-STA BEL-CHA POL-TAR
AUS-PER RUS-NOC YUG-NOS NEZ-AUC CZE-CZE
400 BEL-GHE SWE-NSW ICE-ICE SWE-NSW
Average

Average
POL-TAR
GER-EGE GER-BRE 100 YUG-NOS RUS-MOI
AUS-NEW 100
GER-AUG BEL-CHA GER-EGE
ITA-BRI FRA-LIL RUS-MOC
SWI-TIC SWE-GOT AUS-PER
ITA-FRI FRA-STR
BEL-GHEGER-BRE SWE-GOT
200 LTU-KAU ITA-FRI FRA-LIL
SPA-CAT SWI-VAFFRA-TOU 50
GER-AUG FRA-STR
CHN-BEI ITA-BRI
CHN-BEI SPA-CAT FRA-TOU

00 00
80
80 82
82 84 86
86 88 90 92
92 94 96 80
80 82 84 86 88
88 90
90 92
92 94
94 96
96
Calender years19--
Calendar years 19-- Calendar
Calenderyears
years19--
19--
Presentation of Numerical Data
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Numerical data

Frequency distribution
Order array

histogram polygon
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Histogram:
This is a graphical presentation of frequency distribution of
quantitative, categorical or ordinal variable, in which:
➢The rectangle (as class intervals) proportional in the area to the
frequencies are erected on the horizontal axis.
➢ The base lines are continuous (because we are dealing with
continues variables).
➢ The width of the rectangles should be equal.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Criteria of Histogram:
• Only one set of data can be shown in one histogram
• The area is proportional to the height,( the frequencies)in different
categories can be directly compared by the relative height of the respective
bar.
• It is important that the class interval should
be equal, otherwise the area should be
compared.
Frequency Polygon: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Another form of graphical

presentation of frequency
distribution of quantitative
variables.
It is similar to the histogram,
but instead of using rectangles
to present data, the midpoint of
the top of each rectangle are
plotted, and connected together
by straight lines.
Criteria of Frequency Polygon: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

• More than one set can be Number of students by sex majoring in

demonstrated on the same graph, to each of five academic areas

direct comparison.
• It is only appropriate when the
variables on the horizontal axis are 450

No. of Students
Female
continues. 350
Male

• It provides information about 250

underlying characteristics of data

• The area under the frequency
150

polygon is equal to the area under 50

the equivalent histogram.

Academic Areas
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
Frequency Polygon University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
 Charts:
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

➢ These are pictorial methods of presenting statistical information .

➢ They can convey many different types of information as lengths,
proportion, geographical distribution, and special relationships.

Diagrammatic "Graphical“ or "Figure“:

For categorical data;
Bar chart: This is a graphical presentation of the (relative) frequencies
or magnitudes by rectangles of constant width drawn with length proportional
to the (relative) frequencies or magnitudes concerned.
• Used to present discrete or qualitative data
• It includes separated bars of equal width
• The method of classification of the variable is usually placed on the X-axis, and
the Y-axis usually represents the corresponding frequency or relative
frequency.
 Bar chart: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

• Used to present discrete or

qualitative data
• It includes separated bars of equal
width
• The method of classification of the
variable is usually placed on the X-
axis, and the Y-axis usually represents
the corresponding frequency or
relative frequency.
• It can be used to present more than
one set of data simultaneously using
different colors , shades,... In this case
a key should be used
• Comparison will be made on the basis
of the height of the bar (frequency).
i.e.: the width of the bar has no value
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Criteria of Bar chart:

• It can be used to present more than one set of data
simultaneously using different colors, shades,...In this case a key
should be used
• Comparison will be made on the basis of the height of the bar
(frequency).
i.e. the width of the bar has no value
• It is important that the vertical axis should start at the zero,
otherwise the heights of the bars are not proportional to the
frequencies.
Distribution of coronary risk factors among University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

patients with chronic metabolic syndrome

100 93.1
90
Relative frequency (%) 80
66.3
70 53.8
60 48.8
50
40 27.5
30
20 17.5
10
0

ity
ion

ia
bit
s

es
itu

em
ha
ns

Ob
ell

pid
rte

ing
i...
sM
pe

sli
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ete
Hy

Sm
ar
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D iab

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m
he
isc
of
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to
his
ily
m
Fa
Leading Causes of Death for All Males and Females University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
United States: 2002

Deaths in Thousands
500 494
434

400

289 269
300
Males
200 Females

100 69 61 64 42 39
34
0
A B C D E A B D F E
A Total CVD D Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
(Preliminary) E Diabetes Mellitus
B Cancer F Alzheimer’s Disease
C Accidents
Source: CDC/NCHS
 Fig 9: Reason for unvaccination for unvaccinated children
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Component bar chart: 100%

by governorates

• It is a type of charts based on 90%

80%
proportion.
70%
• A bar chart that shows the 60%

component parts of the aggregate50%

represented by the total length 40%
30%
of the bar.
20%

• It uses bars that are either 10%

shaded or colored to show the 0%

jaf
la

bil
em

k
h

Ta a
Ba r

tal
iya
relative contribution of each
lon

Qa n
d

ar
sit
ba

na

ho
va

a
sra

din
ya
a
da

l
rba

Er
Na

To
iq

niy
as

ss
An

tha
dis
ne

am
by

Du
gh

Di
Ba

Th
Ke

ma
Al
W

Mi

Mu
Ni
Ba

lah

lei
Sa

Su
of its components % of other causes
% of the child abscent Governorates
% of not visited by vaccination team
Pie chart University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

• It is mostly used in presentation of qualitative data.

• It is a type of charts based on proportion
• It uses wedge-shaped portions of a circle to illustrate the relative contribution
of each part to the total (division of the whole into segments).
• To demonstrate the angle of each wedge , we multiply the relative frequency
of each division by 360 degrees.
• Start at 12 o’clock,
• It is preferable to arrange segments in order of their magnitude (starting with
the largest), and proceed clockwise around the chart.
Most Myocardial Infarctions
Are Caused by Low-Grade Stenoses University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

50
Smokers 54%

Non Smokers 31%

186
104 Ex-Smokers 15%

Bar chart shows the distribution of the study sample

Pooled data from 4 studies: Ambrose et al, 1988; regarding their smoking status
Little et al, 1988; Nobuyoshi et al, 1991; and
Giroud et al, 1992. (Adapted from Falk et al.)
 Scatter diagram: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Scatter diagram show the relation between

age & weight (Hypothetical data)
• A pair of measurements is
45
plotted as a single point on a graph.
40
• The value of one variable of each pair is
35
plotted on the X axis & the value of the
30
other variable is
Weight in Kgm

25
plotted on the Y axis
20

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20
Age in years
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Showing the relation:

• A single and effective form to examine the relation between
two quantitative variables is using a scattered points graph.
• Each point correspond at one subject.
 Scatter diagram: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

• The pattern is indicative of the

relationship between two
variables, which might be
linear (if they follow straight
line) or curvilinear (if the
pattern doesn't follow straight
line)
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
A scatter diagram could suggest: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

No relationship: when one variable changes with no change in the other

variable, or when the pattern is buzzard
Linear relationship: an increase in the 1st variable is associated with an
increase (positive) or decrease (negative) in the 2nd variable, and the pattern follows a
straight line.
Curvilinear (positive or negative) relationship: the pattern of increase or decrease will not
follow a straight line .
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Scatter graphs
What type of correlation is shown by these graphs?

weak negative strong positive zero correlation

correlation correlation

weak positive weak negative strong negative

correlation correlation correlation
Time series graph: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

A time series graph displays data that are observed over a given period
of time.
From the graph, one can analyze the behavior of the data over time.
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
4-Picto-gram ((Picto-chart)): University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

➢ This is a graphical representation

of the (relative) frequencies by
using symbols (drawing or picture)
relevant to the subject matter.
➢Symbols of different size should
not be used.
➢A unit value of the data should
be represented by standard
symbol which may repeat to
represent magnitude.
➢Each symbol represents a fixed
number of units.
 University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

♀♀♀♀♀ 0

Parity

♀♀♀♀♀♀♀ 1-3

♀ ≥4

Fig. Pictogram, No. of mothers (all ages) in 100, 000.

University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
Map charts: University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

• These are used to present the geographical distribution

of one or more sets of data

Confirmed cases &

reported deaths in
pandemic covid-19
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
Development of Atherosclerotic Plaques University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

Fatty streak

Normal

Flow chart:
Lipid-rich plaque
It is used to
Foam cells illustrate the
Fibrous cap sequence of a
series of events.
It is characterized
by multiple arrows
Lipid core
Thrombus

Ross R. Nature. 1993;362:801-809.

University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023
Suggestions for the design and use of University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023

tables, graphs, and charts:

➢Choose the method most effective for data and purpose
➢Point out one idea at a time
➢Limit the amount of data and include one kind of data in each
presentation
University of Baghdad/ College of Medicine 2022-2023