1© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Using graphics to communicate evaluation findings

• Bar graphs

• Pie chart

•Line graphs

• Illustrations

• Photographs

2© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Available at:

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3658-13.PDF

This booklet provides

a brief overview of

different types of

graphics and

guidelines on how to

choose the more

appropriate graphic

for your purpose.

3© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

What are the reasons you might use graphics to present your evaluation results? (check all that apply)

To help clarify information

To condense information into a smaller space

To simplify complex information

To emphasize key points

To create a picture of the data – a visual presentation

To make a report look more interesting

See the next slide for the answer

4© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

If you checked all those items, you are RIGHT!

5© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Using graphics What do I want

my audience to

learn and

remember from

my graph?

6© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

TIPS

• Keep the graphic simple

• Make it understandable without much effort

• Use few words

• Place the graphic at the point in the text (or on the page) where you refer to it

7© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Characteristics of an effective graph

Include these items in each graphic: – Title

– Clear units of measure

– Date(s) data collected

– Simple, straightforward design without “clutter”

– Font size 10 point or larger

– Explicit data source(s)

– Sample size, if applicable

8© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Common graphs

Bar graphs show comparisons

– Vertical bar graph

– Horizontal bars

– Multiple bars

– Stacked bar (column)

Pie charts show parts of a whole

Line graphs show progress over time

9© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Examples: Vertical Bar Graphs

10© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Example: Multiple bars (vertical bar graph)

Student achievement in schools that combine social support

and academic press

Lee, V. Social support, academic press, and student achievement: A view from the middle grades in

Chicago. Chicago: Consortium on Chicago School Research, Chicago Annenberg.

http://www.neglected-delinquent.org/nd/resources/spotlight/cflbrief200803.asp

11© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Idaho 4-H Youth by Grade Distribution

Gillespie, Donna. Journal of Extension. Vol. 44, August 2006.

http://www.joe.org/joe/2006august/tt3.php

Example: Multiple bars (vertical bar graph)

12© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

University of California Cooperative Extension.4-H Youth Development.

http://cesanbernardino.ucdavis.edu/4-H_Program/

Impact of 4-H involvement on young people's participation in science

activities and classes

Example: Horizontal bar chart

13© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

2004

2005

2006

2007

County 4-H Memberships

Membership (in thousands)

Year

Example Horizontal bar chart

14© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Percentage of Respondents

17

20

Example: Horizontal bar chart

15© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Stacked or Column Chart

16© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Example: Stacked Columns (multiple columns)

White House Website. Office of Management and Budget. Department of Health and

Human Services. http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/budget/fy2006/hhs.html

17© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Pie charts: parts of a whole

• Useful for displaying proportions

– Percentage of clients achieving the outcome

– Percentage of participants who are boys

– Percentage of sites that are rural

• Ensure individual parts add to 100%

18© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Overall rating of program (n=493 respondents)

Example: Pie Chart

19© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Example: Pie Chart

20© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Teaching Methods Preferred by 4-H Youth

Guion, Lisa. Journal of Extension. Vol. 42, Feb. 2004.

http://www.joe.org/joe/2004february/rb5.php

Example: Pie Chart

21© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Line graphs: time lines

• X axis conveys the time

• Y axis is the variable of interest

• Multiple lines or multiple line graphs can be used to show the performance of different groups

22© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Borsuk, Alan. Drop Out Rate Correlation to High School Enrollment. Aug. 18, 2005.

http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/2005/08/

Line Graph Example

23© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Time Period

Avg. M

onth

ly R

efe

rrals

Line Graph Example

24© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Copyright © 2007-2009 Chester NY 4-H

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

7000000

8000000

1914 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2001

National 4-H Enrollment 1914-2001

Youth Enrollment

Year

To

tal

Line Graph Example

25© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Illustrations

• Diagrams

• Maps

• Drawings

Convey much information in a small space

Add interest to your report

Present technical information in a simple,

meaningful way

26© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Example - Illustration

$6000

$4500

$3000

$1500

$0

Funds raised in 2007

Target

Funds raised in 2008

$0

$1500

$3000

$4500

$6000

Target

$7500

$9000

27© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Example: Illustration

Participating counties (in blue)

28© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Source: BreatheFree Merrill; Lincoln County Health Department, 2006.

29© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

Use to :

• show before and after results

• help audience understand participants’ experiences

• show how a program was implemented

• Compare, count, track changes

Photographs – “a photo is worth a thousand words”

30© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

31© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation

There are various web sites to help you make charts in Excel or Word

Two include:

Making charts in Excel http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/excelcharts/ss/pie_chart.htm

Making charts in MS word

http://www.ehow.com/how_4762299_chart-microsoft-word.html