how could I redraw the graph so that the change in customers between the two months does not seem so great? Do I start from zero? Intervals by 5? Any other advice before I start?
To redraw a graph in a way that reduces the perception of a large change in customers between two months, you can utilize different strategies. Here's a step-by-step approach:
1. Start by examining the original graph and identifying the factor that contributes to the perception of a significant change in customers. Is it the scale of the y-axis, the interval sizes, or something else? Understanding the specific aspect causing the perception is crucial.
2. Adjust the scale of the y-axis to compress the range. If the original scale covers a wide range (e.g., from 0 to 1000), you can consider narrowing it down to a smaller interval (e.g., 0 to 500). This compression will make differences seem less drastic.
3. Change the interval sizes on the y-axis. If the original graph uses intervals of 100 (e.g., 0, 100, 200, etc.), you can reduce the interval size to 50 or even 25 (e.g., 0, 50, 100, 150, etc.). By doing this, the differences between points will appear less pronounced.
4. Consider using a different type of graph. Sometimes, altering the graph type can help mitigate the perception of significant changes. For example, instead of using a line graph, you could try a bar graph, a scatter plot, or a stacked area graph.
5. Decide whether to start the y-axis from zero or a different value. Starting from zero can help maintain accuracy and avoid misrepresenting the data. However, in certain cases where the changes are not drastic, starting from a non-zero value (e.g., 100) can highlight smaller fluctuations without distorting the overall context.
Before you start redrawing the graph, it's advisable to sketch a draft or plan of the changes you want to implement. This will allow you to visualize and discover potential issues before making the final adjustments.