Deck 10: Managing Data and Using Graphics

Question 1

You want to show total U.S. auto sales in each year since 2005; the data could be illustrated using either a pictogram or a bar chart.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A pie chart is the best type of graphic aid to use to summarize the results of a survey question to which each respondent could check more than one answer.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

While text can be given an unethical slant, graphic aids eliminate that risk because of their quantitative nature.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Labeling each piece of a pie chart is not required, as long as the most important pieces are explained.

Question 5

Data on the growth of online business transactions over a five-year period would best be shown in a line chart.

Question 6

For Kayla to avoid a visual distortion in the bar chart she is creating to show her company's sales by region, she should design the quantitative axis to begin at zero, and make each bar the same width.

Question 7

Flip charts and white boards are obsolete and have been replaced by electronic presentations.

Question 8

Fractions, percentages, and the Dow Jones industrial averages are examples of the common language used in communicating difficult or complex numbers.

Question 9

A line chart is an effective graphic for comparing housing prices in a particular state or region with housing prices in the United States over a five-year period.

Question 10

Data that can be presented in a pie chart may also be presented in a bar chart, but the reverse is not always true.

Question 11

People who want to understand the interpretation of data are generally more interested in reading about proportions and ratios than about specific numbers.

Question 12

When viewing tabulated research results, readers or listeners need exact statistics rather than rounded fractions and percentages.

Question 13

Graphics should clarify, simplify, or reinforce the text discussion.

Question 14

The extreme use of color, complicated symbols and art techniques, and unusual combinations of typefaces, should be avoided because they can distract and bury relevant data.

Question 15

"Talking titles" that interpret the data shown in a graphic are recommended in reports rather than general headings such as "Results" or "Findings."

Question 16

A pictogram could be used to track progress toward completion of a six-month construction project.

Question 17

When report writers present quantitative data, it is their ethical responsibility to provide all of the data rather than just a graphic representation of the data.

Question 18

Interpretation and analysis of a graphic should appear before the graphic is shown.

Question 19

A graphic that will not fit on the page where it is introduced should be placed in an appendix.

Question 20

Graphics in reports generally do not need titles because their content is obvious.

Question 21

You want to show actual and budgeted expenses over the last five years for your company. The BEST graphic to use is a

A) line chart.
B) bar chart.
C) broken-bar chart.
D) table.

Question 22

Fraction, ratios, and percentages are examples of which of the following:

A) common language
B) data distortion
C) diverse language
D) qualitative interpretation

Question 23

You need to produce a graphic for your employees that depicts the process of handling customer service complaints. Which would be your BEST choice?

A) Organizational chart
B) Flowchart
C) Pictogram
D) Blueprint

Question 24

Which graphic aid would be best to show Starbuck's quarterly sales over a 5-year period?

A) Line graph
B) Bar chart
C) Pie chart
D) Pictogram
E) None of the above are appropriate.

Question 25

The BEST graphic device to represent the sales of DVR devices over the last five years, with proportionate sales reflected for four age categories each year would be a

A) segmented bar chart.
B) table.
C) line chart.
D) horizontal bar chart.

Question 26

The state board of education has asked for the number of last year's high school graduates attending each of the state's 19 public universities. Which of the following graphics would be MOST effective?

A) Bar chart
B) Pie chart
C) Table
D) Gantt chart

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of an effective talking title?

A) Interest Rates in the U.S.
B) U.S. Rates of Interest from January-April
C) U.S. Interest Rates Declined January-April
D) News on Interest Rates

Question 28

Which of the following statements is correct concerning the reporting of quantitative data?

A) People are not usually interested in proportions or ratios, because they are confusing.
B) When tabulating research results of opinions and preferences, reporting exact statistics to the most accurate decimal point is necessary to avoid distortion in interpretation.
C) Common language reduces difficult figures to the "common denominators" of language and ideas.
D) Because of their absolute and understood value; dollars are a good measure of comparison from one year to another.

Question 29

When an effective graphic is used in a report, there is no need for additional interpretation and analysis of the data.

Question 30

A company that wants to chart employee absences over a two-year period should use which of the following?

A) Flow chart
B) Pie chart
C) Line chart
D) Table

Question 31

What best determines if a graphic presentation is effective?

A) The graphic's ability to prove that the writer or speaker is competent with computer software.
B) The graphic's contribution to the overall understanding of the idea under discussion.
C) The graphic's success in reinterpreting facts that support the goal sought by the writer or speaker.
D) The graphic's ability to attract visual attention.

Question 32

Which of the following is correct concerning the design of pie charts?

A) Position the smallest slice or the slice to be emphasized beginning at the twelve o'clock position.
B) Working counterclockwise, place all slices in descending order of size.
C) Label only important slices with information about the quantity (percent, dollars, etc.) of each slice.
D) If you are unable to attractively place the appropriate labeling information beside each slice, use a legend to identify each slice by color or pattern.

Question 33

Which of the following statements is correct concerning the use of graphics?

A) The use of graphics makes text discussion unnecessary.
B) Three or four pages of graphics can effectively convey several hundred pages of text.
C) Graphics should be reserved for communicating ideas that are highly quantitative.
D) The term "graphics" in business reports refers only to the use of bar charts, line charts, and pie charts.

Question 34

Which of the following is FALSE concerning the use of pictograms?

A) Use a pictogram when you wish to convey bar chart information in a more literal, visual manner.
B) Double the height and width of a picture to show a 100 percent increase.
C) Choose an image that is related to the subject being discussed.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 35

A Gantt chart is

A) a specific type of pie chart that places the most important information at the twelve o'clock position.
B) a flow chart that can track more than one process simultaneously.
C) a specific type of bar chart that is useful for tracking progress toward completing a series of events over time.
D) a line chart that depicts changes in quantitative data and illustrates trends.

Question 36

You are preparing a graphic for the Empty Stocking Fund to show the proportionate low spending on administrative overhead as compared to services for children. Your pie chart should

A) begin with the smallest slice at the twelve o'clock position and position the remaining slices in ascending order of size.
B) explode the administrative overhead slice.
C) label only the slices that reflect service programs.
D) use a legend to identify the color for each slice.

Question 37

Which of the following is BEST for comparing the total dollars spent among five fast food restaurants.

A) Diagram
B) Flow chart
C) Pie chart
D) Table

Question 38

Which of the following guidelines does NOT apply to a bar chart?

A) Bars are used to compare quantities.
B) Vertical axis begins at zero.
C) Increments on the quantitative axis should be equal.
D) Bar widths vary to show different quantities.

Question 39

The board of directors of your organization will meet for a luncheon next month in a suburban hotel. Because of confusion in finding the location for the last meeting, your associate has asked you to provide better directions before the upcoming meeting. What type of graphic would best convey this arrangement?

A) Photograph
B) Pictogram
C) Map
D) None; oral directions would be better.

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable design guideline that will help a viewer understand a graphic?

A) Write meaningful titles.
B) Develop a consistent design.
C) Incorporate a wide selection of typefaces and colors.
D) All of the above are acceptable design guidelines.

Question 41

Which of the following is true concerning the use of graphics in business documents?

A) Understanding and retention are enhanced by the use of graphics.
B) Graphics should be selected that are appropriate for the data and audience.
C) Visually presented data can be easily distorted leading the reader to form incorrect assumptions about the information.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 42

Incorporating Graphics in Text
The following are poor examples of an introduction to a graphic. Rewrite each of these sentences to introduce the graphic based on the effective pattern for incorporating graphics in text. Provide any additional information that may be needed.

Question 43

List seven graphic devices to use for data illustration and interpretation; include a major objective or purpose for each.

Question 44

Explain why quantitative data from a research study must be condensed into a manageable size before you can interpret it.

Question 45

When interpreting and analyzing a graphic presented within the text,

A) restate what the graphic obviously shows to facilitate deeper level understanding.
B) emphasize the main point with a summary, comparisons to other sources, and speculations on outcomes.
C) restate all data presented in a text format.
D) do none of the above since the graphic speaks for itself.

Question 46

Which sentence BEST introduces a graphic that depicts the way people access an organization's information on a website?

A) The area chart in Figure 10 illustrates changes in the actions of visitors to the company's website.
B) Figure 10 is shown on the following page.
C) See Figure 10 for website data.
D) Figure 10 shows website visits.

Question 47

Interpreting Quantitative Data
Your company has surveyed employees to determine their interest in learning about financial planning. Based on the responses, the company will develop training for employees who are interested. The table shows the total employee responses, using the raw data and percentages. The results of this survey will be reported to the director of Human Resources and used to develop a financial planning training seminar for employees.
Required:
Write an analysis of this data that explains the results of the survey. This analysis will appear in the written report to the director of Human Resources.

Question 48

Which of the following numbering systems is recommended when incorporating graphs, pictures, and tables into a written report?

A) Number the graphs as "Graph 1," etc., the pictures as "Figure 1," etc., and the tables as "Table 1," etc.
B) Number the graphs and the pictures as Figure 1," etc., and the tables as Table 1," etc.
C) Number all graphs, pictures, and tables in a single numbering system, such as "Figure 1, Figure 2," etc.
D) Avoid the numbering system altogether.

Question 49

The pattern for incorporating graphs in text is

A) introduce, interpret and analyze, and show.
B) introduce, show, and interpret and analyze.
C) show, explain, and interpret.
D) explain, interpret, and show.

Question 50

Explain the pattern for incorporating graphics in a text and how this relates to the ideal positioning of a graphic.

Question 51

Which of the following sentences best introduces a graph in a written report?

A)Fewer than three percent of the branch managers complained of long working hours, as shown in Figure 7.
B) Figure 7 is shown below.
C) Figure 7 shows the response of managers about working hours.
D) See Figure 7 for details about manager attitudes.

Question 52

What questions should you ask yourself to help determine whether using a graphic presentation is appropriate and effective your written or oral report.

Question 53

In formatting a report, you discover that an entire table will not fit on the bottom of a page. You should

A) continue the graphic interpretation to the bottom of the page and begin the next page with the table.
B) begin the table, allow an adequate margin at the bottom of the page, and complete the table at the top of the next page.
C) end the page with the introduction to the table, regardless of space left on the page.
D) place the table prior to the text reference to it if that placement will allow the entire table to appear on that page.

Question 54

Thomas is writing a report which contains a column (vertical) bar chart that shows last year's employee enrollment in three management training programs: conflict resolution, time management, and team building. Which of the following statements best interprets and analyzes the graph?

A) Figure 1 shows enrollment for each of the management training programs we offer.
B) As Figure 1 indicates, the enrollment for team building was almost double that of time management, and conflict resolution was the highest of the three.
C) The enrollment for time management was 42; for team building it was 81, and for conflict resolution, it was the highest at 127.
D) Figure 1 data indicate that employee management training needs are shifting from training in time management and team building toward conflict resolution.

Question 55

Placing graphic material in the appendix is

A) recommended when the graphics would make the discussion complicated to follow.
B) recommended the majority of the time to simplify text preparation.
C) not recommended if the information is quantitative.
D) never recommended.

Question 56

What is meant by "common language?" How does common language help professionals manage quantities of data efficiently?