T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEEIUNG C H E M I S T R Y
894
Vol. 7, No.
IO
JOINT COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS FOR GRAPHIC PRESENTATION P K E L I M I N A R Y R E P O R T PUBLISHED FOR T H E PURPOSE OF INVITING SUGGESTIONS FOR T H E BENEFIT OF THE COMMITTEE1
As a result of invitations extended by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a number of associations of national scope have appointed representatives on a Joint Committee on Standards for Graphic Presentation. Below a r e the names of the members of the committee and of the associations which have cooperated in its formation.
e. R R I S ~ O N~’hah’mau, , American Society of
Mechan. ical Engineers. LEOXARD P. AYRES. Secretaru, American StatisticaI Associa. E130 East 22nd Street, tiou.
WILLIRD [ i East hem
42nd Street, Tork Citr.1
Year 1900.
Tons 270.588-
1914.
555.031
-
L
FIG.2 2. Where possible represent quantities by linear magnitudes as areas or volumes a r e more likely to be misinterpreted. Sales
New York City.1 X. 8. CARLE,American Institute of Electrical Engineers. ROBERTE. CHADDOCK. American Association for t h e Advance. meiit of Science. FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND. Bmerican Academy of Political and
3. F o r a curve the vertical scale, whenever practicable, should be so selected that the zero line will appear on the diagram.
Social Science.
H. E. CRAMPTON. American Genetic Association. WALTERS. GIFFORD, American Economic Association. J. ARTHURHARRIS, American Society of Naturalists. €1. 1.; HAMKES, American Mathematical Society. JOSEPH A. HILL. United States Census Bureau. HENRY L). HUBBARD, United States Bureau of Standards. ROBERT€1. MORTGOMEBY, American Association of Public AC-
FIG.3
4
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countants.
HENRY€1. NORRIS, Society f o r the Promotion of Eligineering
Educatioii. ALEXARDER SMITH, American Chemical Society. J LDU Srhn ARI. American Institute of Mining Engineers. WESDALLM. STRONG, Actuarial Society of America. !.:DN A R D L. THORYDIKL, American I’sg’chological Association.
The committee is making a study of the methods used in different fields of endeavor for presenting statistical and quantitative data in graphic form. As civilization advances there is being brought to the attention of the average individual a constantly increasing volume of comparative figures acd general data of a scientific, technical and statistical nature. The graphic method permits the presentation of such figures and data with a great saving of time and also with more clearness than would otherwise be obtained. If simple and convenient standards can be found and made generally known, there will be possible a more universal use of graphic methods with a consequent gain to mankind because of the greater speed and accuracy with which complex information mag be imparted and interpreted.
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4. I f the zero line of the vertical scale will not normally appear on the curve diagram, the zero line should be shown by the use of a horizontal break in the diagram.
FIG.4
FIG.5A
FIG.5B
FIG.5C
5. The zero lines of the scales for a curve should be sharply distinguished from the other coordinate lines.
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T H E FOLLOWING ARE SUGGESTIONS W H I C H T H E C O N J I I T T E E H A S T H U S EAR CONSIDERED A S REPRESENTING T H E MORE GENERALLY APPLICABLE P R I N C I P L E S
OF ELE-
MENTARY GRAPHIC PRESENTATION
1. The general arrangement of a diagram should proceed f r o m left to right.
FIG.1 ICopies m a y be had from THE AMERICAN SOCIETYOF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS 29 West 39th St., N e w York: 5 cents to members; 10 cents to nonmembers. Discount in quant,ities.
FIG.6A
FIG.6B
FIG.bC
6. For curves having B scale representing percentages,, it is usually desirable to emphasize in some distinctive way the 100 per cent line or other line used as a basis of comparison. Population 7. When the scale of a diagram refers to dates, and the period represented is not, a c o m n l h nnit. it is better not to emphasize the first and last ordinates, since such a din. pram does not represent the begin iiing or end of time. FIG.7
? ' H E J O r R S < L L O F I S l ) 1 7 S T R I A L ALVD E S G I S E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y 8. \yhen curyes are drawn on logarithmic coordinates, the limiting lines of the diagram should each be a t some power of ten on
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13. Figures for the scales of a diagram should be placed at the lefh and a t the bottom or along the respective axes.
FIG.8
FIG.14.4
FIG.14B
FIG.14C
14. It is often desirable to include in the diagram the numerical data or formulae represented.
FIG.9B
FIG.9A
9. It is advisable not to show any more coordinate lines than necessaq to guide the eye in reading the diagram. Population
17.069.453 23.191.876 31,443,521 38,558,371 50.155.185
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10. The curve lines of a diagram should be sharply distlngiushed from the ruling.
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75.994.575
FIG.15
FIG.10
15. If numerical data are not included in the diagram it is desirable to give the data in tabular form accompanying the diagram.
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FIG.11A
FIG.11B
16. All lettering and all figures on a diagram should be placed sb as to be easily read from the base a0 the bottom, o r from the right-hand edge of the diagram 'as the bottom.
FIG.11C
11. In curves representing a series of observations, it is atlvisable, \yliene\ er possii!le, to indicate clearly on the diacyani all tlie ~ ) o i n t srepresenting t h e separate observations. FIG.16 12. The horizontal scale for curves should usually read from left t o right and the vertical scale from bottom t o top. L
FIG.
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ALCNIN-CM C A S T I N Q S OUTPI'T O F P L A N T KO. 2, B Y M O S T H S . 1914
I 5M I OW
OC'TPUT I S GIVEN I N S I l O H T TOSS S h L E S OF S C R A P A L U M I N U M A R E NOT INCLUDED
500
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FIG.1BA
FIQ.17
FIG.13B
FIG.13C
17. The title of a diagram should be made as clear and complete as possible. Sub-titles or descriptions should be added if necessary to insure clearness.
