Questions: Describe what is misleading in the following visual display of data.
Transcript text: Describe what is misleading in the following visual display of data.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Analyze the visual elements of the graph
The graph uses images of characters/actors superimposed on bars. The images vary in size and pose, creating a distracting visual effect.
Step 2: Assess the scaling of the graph
The y-axis starts at $20 million, not $0, slightly exaggerating the differences between some of the lower-grossing films. The increments on the y-axis are also inconsistent, jumping from increments of 20 million to increments of 40 million near the top.
Step 3: Consider the overall effect of these elements
The combination of varying image sizes and the manipulated y-axis creates a misleading impression of the relative box office success of these films. For example, _Rent_ appears much less successful than _The Phantom of the Opera_ due to the smaller image size and lower bar height, even though the difference is not so significant given the y-axis.
Final Answer:
The misleading aspects of the visual display are the inconsistent y-axis scaling and the use of varying image sizes, which distort the perception of the relative box office receipts of the films.