Creating Effective Graphs

1. Open the file FatalWorkInjuries2004.xls, select tab titled, Fatal Work Injuries by Year, which contains the number of fatal work injuries and employment from 1992 through 2004.  We are going to make a chart of this data and discuss the graph.

a. Make an XY scatterplot of the fatal work injuries data and be sure to choose the following graph type:  scatter with data points connected by lines

 b.  Write 1-2 sentences carefully describing the graph.  What do you want your audience to know about the data you graphed?

c. Notice the scale on the y axis.  Why do you think Excel choose this scale?  How would the graph look different if the Y axis started at 0 and went up to 7000?  Include the graph in your Word document along with your comments.

d.  What is the percent change in the total number of fatal work injuries from 2003 to 2004?  Is this a significant increase?

2.  In the file,  FatalWorkInjuries2004.xls, select tab titled, Fatal Injuries by Event.  There are a few ways to represent this data  One way is to make a pie chart of Fatal Occupational Injuries by Event or Exposure in 2004. 

a.  Create a pie chart of the 2004 data (columns A and C).  Be sure to include percentage data labels.  The data labels should show at least one decimal place. 

b.  Write 1-2 sentences carefully describing the graph.  What do you want you audience to know about the data you graphed?

c.  Compare and contrast the pie chart you created in a to the pie chart below which was published by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics on page 3 (click on this link and use the scroll buttons at the bottom of the screen to locate page 3).  What is the one major difference?  Is the pie chart published by the Bureau of Labor and statistics correct?  Explain. 

3.  In the file,  FatalWorkInjuries2004.xls, select tab titled, Fatal Injuries by Gender.

a.  Create 2 effective pie charts.  One of employment by gender and the other of fatalities by gender.  Paste both in your Word document.

b.  Looking at the fatalities pie chart, which of the following conclusions is correct.

i.  93% of all men who are employed suffer a fatal injury.
ii. 7% of all women suffer a fatal injury.
iii. 7% of all fatal work injuries are suffered by women.

4. In the file,  FatalWorkInjuries2004.xls, select tab titled, Fatal Injuries by Age.

a.  Make an effective column graph to represent the number of fatal work injuries for each age group in both 2003 and 2004.  Remember: with more than one set of data on the graph, you must label the series.  This is done in step 2 of making the graph.  (Note: a pie graph would be appropriate here, but since we want both years on one graph, a column  graph must be used).  Paste your graph into your Word document.

b.  What age group had the highest number of fatalities in 2003?  Which group had the lowest number of fatalities in 2004?  Which age group had the largest decrease in the number of fatalities from 2003 to 2004?  the largest increase?

c. Compare the graph you made to the graph made by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (this graph is on page 9).  How is your graph different?  How is their graph somewhat misleading?