Homework Will Never End

Chapter 3 – Part 3 3.8 Tables Tables are the simplest form of data display, yet creating an effective table is an acquired skill.  The arrangement of numbers in rows and columns can enhance their meaning so that it can be understood at a glance. Tips for Effective Tables Keep the table simple and consistent with its purpose. In a slide presentation, the main point of the table should be clear to a reader within 10 seconds. If not, then consider breaking the table up to make it more clear.; Display the data to be compared in columns rather than in rows. Research shows that people find it easier to compare across rather than down.; For presentation purposes, round off to three or four significant digits.  People mentally round numbers anyway. (Exception is when accounting requires more precision.); Physical table layout should guide the eye towards the comparison you wish to emphasize. Spaces or shading can be used to separate columns or rows., use lines sparing...

Chapter 3 – Part 2  3.4  Excel Charts [Will cover this as soon as I can get my Add-In to work. Analysis ToolPak Add-in is suggested here. But I know it's not necessary in order to generate charts in Excel. I just have to remember how.]   3.5 Line Charts - Used to display a time series , to spot trends or to compare time periods. Can be used to display several variables at once.  If two variables are displayed, the right and left scales will differ.  Excel's two-scale line chart will let you compare variables that differ in magnitude or are measured in different units. (See Figure 3.16, p. 77).  Too many variables, however, will render the chart unreadable.   No vertical grid lines, but can use horizontal grid lines to establish the Y variables at a certain data marker.  If using horizontal grid lines, it's suggested that they be faint, so as to not clutter the background of the chart. Making and Excel Line Chart Step 1: Highlight the da...

Chapter 3 – Part 1 TOPICS   3.1 Visual Description Visual representations of statistical data can provide insight into the data without using mathematics. Table 3.1 shows the Characteristics of Univariate Data. Characteristic Interpretation Measurement What are the units of measurement? Continuous or integer (discrete)? Missing observations? Accuracy concerns? Central Tendency Where are the data values concentrated? Dispersion How are the data spread out? Are there outliers? Shape Is the distribution symmetrical? Skewed? Bimodal?   Measurement Before drawing any graphic representation, it's best to look at the data and try to visualize how it was collected.  In the example of S&P P/E ratio data (Table 3.2), the data was obtained from publicly accessible records, so accuracy of data is not in question. The data as reported in this table is cross-sectional (many units shown at the same point in time).  It's already called a "ratio", but the for...