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Activity Number:
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546
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Type:
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Contributed
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Date/Time:
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Thursday, August 2, 2007 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Statistical Graphics
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| Abstract - #308351 |
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Title:
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Graphs in Social Science Texts: We Can and Should Do Better
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Author(s):
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Naomi Robbins*+ and Joyce Robbins
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Companies:
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NBR-Graphs and Touro College
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Address:
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11 Christine Court, Wayne, NJ, 07470,
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Keywords:
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statistical graphs ; Graphs in textbooks ; Examples bad graphs
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Abstract:
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Students learn from what they see in textbooks. This presentation critiques graphs found in a sampling of introductory college-level sociology textbooks. These examples include graphs with unnecessary dimensions, with uneven scales, lacking explanations of reference lines and other elements, and that do not make the data stand out. In many cases, students first encounter statistical methods in social science classes and therefore it is crucial that the graphs they read follow up-to-date guidelines of proper data presentation. We believe that basic graphing principles should become part of social science curricula.
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