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Presenting Data Effectively
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Presenting Data Effectively
Communicating Your Findings for Maximum Impact

Second Edition


May 2017 | 280 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Now in striking full color, the Second Edition shows readers how to make the research results presented in reports, slideshows, dashboards, posters, and data visualizations more interesting, engaging, and impactful. The book guides students, researchers, evaluators, entrepreneurs, and non-profit workers—anyone reporting data to an outside audience—through design choices in four primary areas: graphics, text, color, and arrangement. The Second Edition features an improved layout with larger screenshots, a review of the recent literature on data visualization, and input from a panel of graphic design experts.

Watch Stephanie D. H. Evergreen's latest webinar on tips to make your data presentations successful!


 
About the Author
 
Acknowledgments
 
Preface to the Second Edition
 
1 The Justification for Presenting Data Effectively
Learning Objectives

 
What Does Effective Data Presentation Look Like?

 
What Makes Data Presentation Effective?

 
What Do I Need to Develop Effective Data Presentation?

 
How Do I Navigate This Book?

 
What Is the Bottom Line?

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
2 Graphics
Learning Objectives

 
Guiding Ideas

 
How Do I Use Images in Effective Ways?

 
How Do I Efficiently Locate High-Quality Images?

 
Where Should Graphs Go?

 
How Do I Apply These Ideas to Graphs?

 
What Is the Bottom Line?

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
3 Text
Learning Objectives

 
Guiding Ideas

 
What Is Type?

 
How Do I Tell These Typefaces Apart?

 
What Works for Paper and What Works for Screen?

 
Did You Just Say I Can’t Use Calibri?

 
How Can I Protect Font Choices?

 
How Do Fonts Actually Communicate?

 
What Font Size Should I Use?

 
How Should Lines Be Spaced?

 
How Does Typeface Help Organize Data Presentation?

 
How Do I Apply These Ideas to Graphs?

 
What Is the Bottom Line?

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
4 Color
Learning Objectives

 
Guiding Ideas

 
Why Is Color Important to Memory?

 
What Colors Should I Choose?

 
What Should I Watch Out For?

 
How Do I Apply Emphasis Colors?

 
How Do I Apply These Ideas to Graphs?

 
What Is the Bottom Line?

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
5 Arrangement
Learning Objectives

 
Guiding Ideas

 
Where Do the Bits and Pieces Go?

 
What Is White Space and How Do I Use It?

 
How Should I Justify Text?

 
How Can I Align Using Typical Software?

 
When Is It Okay to Break the Rules?

 
How Do I Arrange the Sections of the Whole Report?

 
How Do I Apply These Ideas to Graphs?

 
What Is the Bottom Line?

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
6 Making It Easy
Learning Objectives

 
Criticism: Trying to Look Slick

 
Criticism: Design Is Expensive

 
Key Points to Remember

 
How Can I Extend This?

 
Where Can I Go for More Information?

 
 
Appendix A Report Layout Checklist
 
Appendix B Data Visualization Checklist
 
Index

Supplements

Student Study Site

Access helpful tools and resources all in one place, including:

  • A research & evaluation report layout checklist
  • A data visualization checklist
  • Templates of style sheets
  • A PowerPoint template on the “rule of thirds”
  • A slide deck planning sheet 

The book is aimed at all those involved in the presentation of information. For graphic designers, however, this book probably offers little new. "Presenting Data Effectively" is easy to read, as it is very well structured and prepared. The second edition is richly illustrated with 201 colour illustrations. It is practice-oriented and offers scientifically proven arguments for the recommendations. Numerous learning suggestions, tools, tips and further references to further sources for more information round off the book.

Anja Kaup
Infocient Consulting GmbH

It is a concise book to add to an existing textbook. Easy to read and follow. Nice reference materials.

Professor Jea Joseph
Mathematics Computer Sci Dept, Oakwood University
January 5, 2020
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • A new checklist provides guidelines to help readers develop their skills in visualizing data.
  • Revised content on text addresses font sizes, how to handle text in graphs, and which fonts to use and not use.
  • A rewritten chapter on color now incorporates guidance for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • A chapter on arrangement now addresses how to construct reporting that aligns with a mobile reading culture.

KEY FEATURES:

  • An easy-to-follow format and straightforward content make it easy for readers to understand the strategies covered in the book.
  • A focus on what works for memory and comprehension gives readers a way to show how meaningful their data really are.
  • Cutting-edge examples and applications from several social sector fields bring concepts to life. 
  • Guidance based on Microsoft Office products makes it easy to implement the suggestions and examples without purchasing new programs or learning new applications.
  • Before and after illustrations of reporting techniques with diagnostic step-by-step instructions for replication give readers hands-on experience.
  • Examples of good communication in various reporting mechanisms, such as posters, PowerPoint and online presentations, and reports, introduce readers to best practices material.
  • An open-access companion website offers helpful tools and resources, including checklists and templates, all in one place.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 3


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781506353135

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