Graphical design

There are three kinds of lies, ``lies, damned lies, and statistics''. This is never more true than when poor statistical graphs are drawn.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a graph worth a thousand numbers only if it is clear, concise, and correct.

Always graph your data - often a properly chosen graph will obviate the need for any further analysis. Don't lose sight of the purpose of the graph when you are drawing it.

Thre are many good books on the proper construction of graphs. I particularly enjoyed the series by Tufte:

• The visual display of Quantitative Information, E. Tufte, Graphics Press
• Envisioning Information, E. Tufte, Graphics Press
• Visual Explanations, E. Tufte, Graphics Press

You will find these books a delight to read with many examples of well constructed graphs and figures.