Misleading Graphs

Misleading Graphs

Statistical data is constantly being collected and used in many aspects of everyday life. From this data, graphs are created to give an audience a visual representation. Although, these graphs can be helpful, many times they are unintentionally poorly made or purposely prepared incorrectly in order to mislead its particular audience. A bar graph created by Lori Alden to represent a study by Allan Williams on the number of drivers in fatal car crashes by age group, is an illustration of a poorly made and misleading graph (econoclass.com, 2005). This graph includes several visual and informational errors which can deceive its reader’s awareness of the issue.

There are numerous misleading features about this graph. First, this graph is a detached statistic, meaning there is no comparison made as far as another year. The graph is based only on data collected in 1988, but what about comparing it to another year such as 1989? How can someone draw a sound conclusion from information just based off of one year, where there could have been an abnormal amount of fatal car crashes compared to other years? Is the sample size large enough? If this graph was made to signify the total number of drivers in fatal car crashes in 1988, why is the amount only in the hundreds, and not thousands? In the United States alone, there is an average of 27,000 drivers killed in car crashes annually (car-accidents, n.d.). How were the subjects in the sample selected? The graph also does not say how much more do twenty yr olds drive than other age groups. These problems might give the user a wrong opinion of certain age drivers. To correct the graph, it must be compared to other years so there is a comparison, and not just based on a certain year. Finally, a larger sample might be more appropriate for a study this big.

In order to obtain information we rely on graphs, not all graphs serve their function and are reliable.