Topological data analysis (TDA) is a collection of powerful tools that can quantify shape and structure in data in order to answer questions from the data's domain. This is done by representing some aspect of the structure of the data in a simplified topological signature. In this article, we introduce two of the most commonly used topological…

More than ever, school districts and other organizations need to provide parents with information about school quality and their school choices. Across the country school choice is expanding in ways that provide opportunities--and challenges--for parents to select the schools that best fit their children's needs. The federal Every Student Succeeds…

The aim of good data graphics is to display data accurately and clearly. This definition is used as a point of departure for developing 12 rules of bad data display: (1) show as little data as possible (minimize the data density); (2) hide what data you do show (minimize the data-ink ratio); (3) ignore the visual metaphor altogether; (4) only…

This article briefly describes the topics "beta coefficient"--a measurement of the price volatility of a company's stock in relationship to the overall stock market--and "market share"--an average measurement for the overall stock market based on a specified group of stocks. It then selectively recommends a database (file) on…

Numerical tables of mathematical functions are in continual demand by scientists and engineers for preliminary surveys of problems before programming for computing machines. This handbook was designed to provide scientific investigators with a comprehensive and self-contained summary of the mathematical functions that arise in physical and…

Graphics software can assist hearing-impaired students in visualizing and comparing ideas and can also demonstrate spatial relations and encourage creativity. Teachers and students can create and present data, diagrams, drawings, or charts quickly and accurately. (Author/CL)

This publication provides examples that illustrate how school psychologists might use graphs to improve communication of their perceptions, data, and understanding of clients' behavior to parents and students, and to other educators. The booklet is divided into two parts. Part I presents 15 graphs which were sent to school psychologists in Iowa…

The use of computational diagrams and nomographs for the calculations that frequently occur in college administration is examined. Steps in constructing a nomograph and a four-dimensional computational diagram are detailed, and uses of three- and four-dimensional diagrams are covered. Diagrams and nomographs are useful in the following cases: (1)…

Discusses ways to use bar charts and line graphs to present comparative information in a flexible manner. Includes activities designed to review how the different characteristics of charts and graphs relate to different document structures. (RS)

Describes ways for school newspapers and yearbooks to better communicate through "infographics" (a graphic representation of primarily statistical data that helps to tell the story). (RS)

Argues that graphs and charts are cases of document structures introduced in previous columns: combined lists, intersecting lists, and nested lists. Explores pie charts and various aspects of bar charts as they relate to other document structures presented in this series. (RS)

Offers guidelines summarizing the major points of judges in the 1989 Yearbook Excellence Contest regarding: (1) visual impact; (2) visual readability; (3) appropriateness of illustrations and graphics to the verbal content; and (4) writing quality. (SR)

A theoretical foundation is provided for a method of identifying those books in a library's stack that determine any given percentage of the current circulation. Basic components and requirements of the technique are described, and the theory is applied in an example that manipulates data from a university library. (Author/MBR)

Takes the reader through production steps of creating an "infographic" for a high school newspaper. Give six lessons for doing infographics: (1) always accept free help; (2) if it sounds interesting, it probably is; (3) if an idea works, use it; (4) know thoroughly the "ins and outs" of the program used; (5) different is good, interesting is…

The past decade has seen a substantial growth in methods and schemes for the display of multivariate data. This paper encompasses a sketch of the history of multivariate displays, from the pre-Columbian Quipu to Chernoff's Face; examines a number of techniques; describes their construction; illustrates their use; and comments on their efficacy.…