#63 Make Better Charts

A Simple Infographic to Data Visualization

Author

Jamal El Ouahi
July 20, 2025

Hey friends,

You might have heard the saying “one picture is worth a thousand words”

One figure. Message conveyed. Done.

In research, data visualization isn’t just about making things look good.
It’s about helping people understand your data. Fast.

The right chart makes your research clearer and more powerful
This guide helps you pick the best one for your message

Here is a nice comparison of different chart types:

There are 4 main types of data visuals

Below, I want to cover how and when to use them

1. Relationship
Use when showing how things are connected.

  • Scatter Plot: See if two things move together

  • Bubble Chart: Add size to show a third value

2. Comparison
Use when you want to show differences or rankings.

  • Bar Chart (Horizontal): Great for many items

  • Bar Chart (Vertical): Best for a few items

  • Variable Width Column Chart: Compare two values per item

  • Table with Charts: Show many values side by side

  • Line Chart: Track change over time

  • Circular Area Chart: Spot repeating trends

3. Distribution
Use to see how values are spread out.

  • Bar Histogram: Look at the shape of one variable

  • Line Histogram: Smooth the pattern

  • Scatter Plot: Spot outliers or clusters

4. Composition
Use to show parts of a whole.

Over Time (Dynamic):

  • Stacked Bar/Area Charts: Show totals and parts changing

  • 100% Stacked Charts: Focus on relative size only

Single Moment (Static):

  • Pie Chart: Simple slices of the whole

  • Waterfall Chart: How parts add up

  • Tree Map: Big picture with tiny parts

  • Stacked Bars with Subparts: Layers within layers

 In short, 10 Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Chart:

  1. Start with the question you want to answer

  2. Use bar charts to compare values

  3. Use line charts for trends over time

  4. Pie charts are only for simple shares

  5. Show parts and totals with stacked charts or tree maps

  6. Use scatter plots for patterns and outliers

  7. Add bubble size when size matters

  8. Use histograms to show spread

  9. Avoid 3D charts, they confuse more than help

  10. Keep it clean. Less is more

That’s all for this week

Let your data choose the shape, not your design tool.
The right visual makes your point without extra words

Save this list. Use it for your next paper or presentation

Let me know how you choose your visualization

As always, if you need clarification or assistance with your research projects, feel free to reach out to me, and I will respond

See you next Sunday!

Jamal

My favourite things this week:

  1. Two training sessions at the National School of Business and Management in Settat (University Hassan I), Morocco. We explored the scientific publishing ecosystem and the publishing process. Rich interactions with the participants!

  2. A meeting at the Library of the Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health (UM6SS) in Casablanca, Morocco.

  3. A meeting at the Library of the University of Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco

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