Graphics and data visualization
Statistical graphics are one of the most important tools of the data analyst. Exploratory data analysis is usually carried out at the very beginning of every statistical evaluation. With the help of statistical graphics, an attempt is made to uncover anomalies in the available data and to notice the first obvious correlations.
But correct scientific graphics are an essential tool not only in this first step. Especially when it comes to the documentation or presentation of results, a scientific graphic often says more than 1000 words.
Statistical graphics
Statistical graphics are the classic approach in data visualization. Here, individual features of a data set are displayed alone or in combination as points, bars or similar graphical elements. This allows the observer to quickly identify - often at a glance - important aspects of the data.
Nowadays, most statistics programs are no longer limited to simple point and bar charts, but also provide elaborate 3-dimensional graphics or maps..
Interactive graphics
The latest trend in data visualization is the use of interactive graphics. With the help of various control elements, the observer is able to change the graphic interactively. This starts with the simple rotation of 3-dimensional representations and goes up to the complete reconfiguration of a graphic. Modern statistics programs allow the user to interactively modify colors in the presentation graphic, to zoom into interesting areas or to retrieve additional information about individual elements of the graphic.
All this is not only possible within the programs. There are various export options to save interactive graphics as HTML or Flash files and thus publish them directly via the Internet.