(Solution) MATH 399N Week 2 Discussion: Misleading Graphs

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 2
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source

Initial Post Instructions

After exploring different types of graphs this week, it is unfortunate to learn that there are sometimes misleading graphs used in the news, politics, medicine, etc. in order to sway a decision or belief. Some items to watch out for in graphs are—

  1. Is there a title that explains what the graph is displaying?
  2. Are numbers on the axis spaced out proportionally or have they been varied to create a dramatic impression?
  3. Is the graph too loud? Does it have too many components that it distracts from content?
  4. Are there sources cited to know where the data came from?

Use the internet to find a misleading graph. Key Terms to Search: Misleading Graphs

  1. Provide a screenshot of the graph
  2. Cite the Source
  3. Explain why the graph is misleading

Analysis

  1. Explain how you would fix the graph so it is not misleading.
  2. Explain why the creator of the misleading graph would want to create the graph in the first place.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Here are suggested responses.

  1. Note if you find another misleading item that was not noted in your peers’ post.
  2. Explain if you would fix the graph in a different way then was presented in your peers’ post.

Writing Requirements

  • Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
  • APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Solution:

The graph I found was about how there were over 100M Americans receiving federal welfare in 2011. The graph was shown on both The Weekly Standard and Fox News, and the graph makes it seem like more and more Americans are signing up for welfare programs. This graph is misleading because they are making it seems like the number of Americans receiving federal welfare had a huge jump from 2009-2011. But we can see that in the beginning of 2009, it was already close to being 100M. Fox News also did not bother stating that one of the reasons for the increase in federal welfare was because of the recession when many Americans lost their jobs (Pleat, 2012). Another factor why the graph is misleading is because the y-axis starts from 94M rather than 0. …Please click the icon below to purchase full answer at only $5