Identifying Misleading Graphs

The video discusses how graphs can be used to mislead and manipulate data presentation. It highlights common techniques such as scale distortion, cherry picking, and data omission. Examples include a Chevy ad and unemployment data. The video emphasizes the importance of critically analyzing graphs by examining labels, numbers, scales, and context to understand the true story behind the data.

Why might we not question exaggerated claims in advertising and politics?

• Because they are backed by science

• Because they are rare

• Because we are used to them

• Because they are always true

What does a graph represent?

• Cold, hard numbers

• Speculations

• Assumptions

• Opinions

In the 1992 Chevy ad, what was misleading about the graph?

• It used too many colors

• It showed irrelevant information

• It distorted the y-axis scale

• It used incorrect data

How can zooming in on a small portion of the y-axis mislead viewers?

• By hiding the data

• By making differences seem larger than they are

• By making the graph colorful

• By changing the data

What is a common way to distort data in line graphs?

• Using 3D effects

• Adding irrelevant data

• Distorting the x-axis scale

• Using too many colors

What does 'cherry picking' data involve?

• Using random data points

• Using all available data

• Selecting data that supports a specific narrative

• Ignoring all data

Why might a graph showing Super Bowl viewership be misleading?

• It uses incorrect data

• It uses too many colors

• It doesn't account for population growth

• It shows irrelevant data

What is the significance of understanding the full context of a graph?

• To understand the true impact of the data

• To add more colors to the graph

• To make the graph look better

• To ignore the data

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Why might two graphs using the same data give opposite impressions?

• They use different data points

• They plot the data differently

• They use different colors

• They are from different sources

What should you look at to understand a graph's story?

• The source of the graph

• The size of the graph

• The labels, numbers, scale, and context

• The colors