Graphs are capable of conveying a good deal of information in an efficient, effective manner.  Graphs are powerful weapons in the arsenal of data storytellers. 

In class, we created line graphs to tell a story about climate change.  Specifically, we graphed average temperatures in New Jersey over the last century.  In the previous class, we created bar charts to tell a story about the vast differences in the resources of baseball teams.

Your homework is to find a dataset on the internet, and create a line chart or bar chart based on that data.

As you complete the assignment, keep in mind the following:

1. First, find some data and paste or import it into Excel.  Remember that for our purposes, a dataset is a rectangular matrix with cases in the rows and variables in the columns. Your dataset should contain at least 25 cases.
2. Once the data are in Excel, press CTRL-T to create a table.
3. Click "summarize with PivotTable."
4. Set up the PivotTable.
5. Make the chart - either line or bar chart.
6. Use the group/un-group feature if necessary to simplify the data (as you did with the temperature data).  
7. Make sure the chart is properly labeled.  There should be a descriptive title.  Label the axes as well.

• Having trouble coming up with data?  Here are some examples.  One student found data on average (inflation-adjusted) teacher salaries in the US over several decades.  She made a chart displaying change over time in average teacher salaries.  Another student made a line chart displaying population change over time.
  

Your homework for next time is to find another dataset and follow the same steps that we followed in class. Specifically, you should:

1. Find a dataset that meets the criteria I outlined in class.  The dataset should be a rectangular matrix with cases in the rows and variables in the columns.  One of the variables should be interval, and another variable should be nominal. 

2. Import the dataset into Excel using the method that we went over in class.  You can go to the DATA tab in Excel, and then click on the FROM THE WEB button.  Then browse the web for a dataset that you can import.

3. While highlighting one of the cells in the table, press CTRL-T to create a table. 

4. Give the table an appropriate, descriptive name.

5. Then click "Summarize with Pivot Table."  A new sheet will appear.  Now, create a Pivot Table in the same manner as we did in class.  Grab the nominal variable and put it in the Row Labels box.  Grab the interval variable and put it in the Values box.  Obtain four different statistics: average (mean), minimum (min), maximum (max) and count. 

6. Format the table so that it looks good.  Use the decimal adjustment buttons. 

7  Now, write a paragraph about the table you have created.  Summarize what you found.  Write this paragraph under the table that you created. 

8. Make sure that you save everything on your flash drive, and bring it to class.