1、BRITISH STANDARD BS7581:1992 Guide to Presentation of tables and graphsBS7581:1992 This British Standard, having been prepared under the directionof the Information andDocumentation Standards Policy Committee, was published under the authorityofthe Standards Boardand comes intoeffect on 15 December1
2、992 BSI 04-1999 The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard: Committee reference DOT/6 Draft for comment 90/96133 DC ISBN 0 580 20904 0 Committees responsible for this British Standard The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Information and Documentation St
3、andards Policy Committee (DOT/-) to Technical Committee DOT/6, upon which the following bodies were represented: British Library British Psychological Society Department of Trade and Industry Management Services and Manpower Division (MSM) Her Majestys Stationery Office Institute of Information Scie
4、ntists Institute of Linguists Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators Library Association London College of Printing Periodical Publishers Association Science Museum Library Standing Conference of National and University Libraries The following bodies were also represented in the draftin
5、g of the standard, through subcommittees and panels: Open University Royal College of Art Royal Society Royal Statistical Society School Curriculum Development Committee University of Reading Amendments issued since publication Amd. No. Date CommentsBS7581:1992 BSI 04-1999 i Contents Page Committees
6、 responsible Inside front cover Foreword ii 1 Scope 1 2 Normative references 1 3 Definitions 1 4 Basic considerations 2 5 Tables 4 6 Graphs 9 7 Forms of graph 11 Annex A (informative) Bibliography 23 Figure 1 Terms used for the constituents of a table 2 Figure 2 Powers of10 in headings 4 Figure 3 Al
7、phabetic arrangement 5 Figure 4 Ordering by external variable 6 Figure 5 Two kinds of conversion table 7 Figure 6 Vertical listing 7 Figure 7 Column headings at45 8 Figure 8 Hierarchy of headings 8 Figure 9 Single bar graph 12 Figure 10 Stacked bar graph 12 Figure 11 Line graph 13 Figure 12 Area gra
8、ph 13 Figure 13 Pie graph 14 Figure 14 Isotype graph 15 Figure 15 Scatter graph 16 Figure 16 Histogram 17 Figure 17 Histogram plotted as bar graph 18 Figure 18 Three-dimensional graph 18 Figure 19 Superimposed graph 19 Figure 20 Thematic map 20 Figure 21 Illustrated graph 21 Figure 22 Pictorial grap
9、h 22 List of references Inside back coverBS7581:1992 ii BSI 04-1999 Foreword This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Information and Documentation Standards Policy Committee. It supersedes DD52:1977, which is withdrawn. This British Standard gives general information about
10、 the presentation of the simpler forms of table and graph. It is not concerned with specialist work and complex forms of presentation. It should help those engaged in the design of tables and graphs for general use, whether in government, business, research or the media, to choose a suitable form of
11、 presentation and to use it well. Some kinds of information are easier to understand if they are presented in tabular or graphic form, rather than continuous prose, but such forms of presentation can be confusing. The choice of form will depend on what the originator wishes to communicate and what t
12、he reader needs to know. Since DD52 was published, changes in technology, in particular the increasing use of VDU screens, word processors, personal computers and desk-top publishing systems have impacted on the presentation of information and now allow the originator a greater freedom of design tha
13、n the conventional typewriter. It is hoped that this standard will help originators, such as editors, designers and keyboard operators, to make the best use of that freedom of design. The presentation of information on VDU screens has been taken into account in the preparation of this standard as fa
14、r as the constant changes in VDU technology allow. For further information on methods of presenting information in tabular or graphic form, see the bibliography given in Annex A. Although this standard recommends consistent forms of presentation throughout a document or group of documents, various d
15、ifferent forms of presentation are used for the illustrations in the guide itself to show the range available. A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application. Compliance with a Britis
16、h Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Summary of pages This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii, pages1 to24, an inside back cover and a back cover. This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had amendments inc
17、orporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover.BS7581:1992 BSI 04-1999 1 1 Scope This British Standard gives guidance on methods of presenting information in tabular or graphic form in ways that allow the reader to extract information quickly and easily. The stand
18、ard applies to quantitative information in general (including ways of showing the relation between different items), timetables and simple lists. It does not apply to specialist information that may require presentation according to the conventions of a particular discipline. The standard applies wh
19、ether information is to be presented on paper or on a VDU screen. 2 Normative references This British Standard incorporates, by reference, provisions from specific editions of other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate points in the text and the publications are list
20、ed on the inside back cover. Subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications apply to this British Standard only when incorporated in it by updating or revision. 3 Definitions For the purposes of this British Standard the following definitions apply. 3.1 axis a straight line use
21、d for reference in a graph, the X axis being horizontal, the Y axis vertical and the Z axis orthogonal to the other two 3.2 bar graph a form of presentation in which rectangles represent the quantity of each category shown 3.3 cell a unit of information within a table (seeFigure 1) 3.4 column a vert
22、ical array of cells (seeFigure 1) 3.5 data line a line joining points within a data set 3.6 data point a point representing an item of information plotted on a graph 3.7 data set a collection of related data assembled for presentation in graphic form 3.8 graph a diagram showing the relation between
23、two or more quantities or variables 3.9 line graph a graph that uses a line to show the relation between two or more variables, measured along a pair of axes 3.10 lining numerals numerals that align at top and bottom, as in the following: 1234567890 3.11 non-lining numerals numerals that vary in hei
24、ght, with some that extend below the base, as in the following: 1234567890 3.12 row a horizontal array of cells (seeFigure 1) 3.13 rule a straight line 3.14 table a list of facts, numbers, etc., systematically arranged in columns and rows (seeFigure 1)BS7581:1992 2 BSI 04-1999 4 Basic considerations
25、 4.1 Choice of form 4.1.1 General The prime considerations in choosing whether to present data in tables or graphs should be the readers convenience and the use to which the data will be put. In general, tables are preferable for data with a wide range and data from which readings will be taken. Gra
26、phs are preferable for showing trends or relations that would be difficult to detect within a table. 4.1.2 Advantages of tables The advantages of tables are that they: a) can hold many data cells; b) allow numeric data to be extracted easily and accurately; c) can accommodate wide ranges of data; d)
27、 are effective where data cells need localized comparison. 4.1.3 Disadvantages of tables The disadvantages of tables are that they: a) do not always make trends visually apparent; b) can be off-putting to the reader, particularly, if they are large. 4.1.4 Advantages of graphs The advantages of graph
28、s are that they: a) can express quantities as shapes that facilitate comparison; b) facilitate the understanding of numerical data; c) show trends well. 4.1.5 Disadvantages of graphs The disadvantages of graphs are that they: a) make comparison difficult if certain shapes are used; b) can make the e
29、xtraction of exact quantities slow or impossible; c) can bias the inferences drawn, by the form of presentation; d) cannot easily present data with wide discrepancies of scale. 4.2 Perceptual principles Certain general perceptual principles that govern the arrangement of related information apply to
30、 tables and graphs. Simple methods of presentation should be chosen. Items of information tend to be seen as related if they are displayed close together, are aligned, are given the same graphic treatment (e.g.colour or shading) or share the same enclosed space. Information should not appear clutter
31、ed. 4.3 Positioning Tables and graphs should appear near the related text and in the same orientation if practicable. Any that are mentioned more than once should appear near the first reference to them. Figure 1 Terms used for the constituents of a tableBS7581:1992 BSI 04-1999 3 4.4 Organizing info
32、rmation to suit the medium 4.4.1 VDU screens Tables and graphs can be difficult to understand if they are larger than the window available for viewing them on screen. Where possible, any table or graph to be displayed on a VDU should be designed to fit within the area of the screen or window. If nec
33、essary, the information should be restructured so that it can be presented in several smaller displays, each clearly related to the others but coherent on its own. The content will suggest the best method of division. Sometimes an overview should be provided from which a reader can select an area fo
34、r detailed display. 4.4.2 Projected images If a table or graph is to be displayed as a slide or overhead projection transparency, the presentation should be simple and uncluttered to enable the audience to read and comprehend the information in the time the speaker allows. A table or graph designed
35、for a printed document is often too complex for successful projection. It may need redesigning as a series of simpler displays and the amount of information that can be presented may be limited by the need to use letters and numerals large enough to be easily legible when projected. 4.5 Legibility 4
36、.5.1 Printed images Letters and numerals should be large enough to be easily legible in their final printed form. Their final size should be checked if the original is to be reduced in size. It may also be necessary to take account of the special characteristics of potential readers (e.g.poor eyesig
37、ht) or the likely reading conditions (e.g.low light, movement or vibration). The placing of text or numerals on a shaded or hatched background should be avoided because their legibility could be seriously impaired. 4.5.2 Projected images Letters and numerals should be large enough to be easily legib
38、le at the maximum likely viewing distance. In general, the original will require letters and numerals larger than those used in printed tables or graphs. It is rarely possible to obtain a satisfactory projected image by reproducing a printed version in its entirety, although sometimes part of a prin
39、ted table or graph can be enlarged to give a legible projected image. If shades or hatchings are used, they should be designed to reproduce well and be readily distinguishable at the maximum likely viewing distance. Colours can be used to advantage in place of shades and hatchings. If the colours ar
40、e carefully chosen, text and numerals can be superimposed without loss of legibility. 4.6 Colour 4.6.1 Uses The use of colour in the presentation of information is increasing as advances in technology (e.g.colour copiers, laser printers, personal computers and computer-generated slides) make it easi
41、er to reproduce. Because colour attracts attention, it is used to emphasize, differentiate and relate information, and the reader will try to group elements according to colour, even if that is not intended. Colour should therefore be used with restraint, logically and consistently. 4.6.2 Limitation
42、s Colour will add to the cost of printing. Falsification of information can occur if colours are printed out of register. Before colour is used, the circumstances in which it will be seen should be considered. Colours may be indistinguishable to the colour-blind or to people with normal sight if see
43、n in poor light. Differences between colours may be lost if the information is reproduced in monochrome (e.g.in photocopies or on microfilm). Colour should not therefore be the sole means of emphasis; it should be used in conjunction with typographic variants (e.g.italic, bold) and shading and space
44、. Seealso6.7. 4.6.3 Emphasis If used for emphasis, the impact of a colour will depend on its contrast (light/dark) with the background. The greater the contrast, the greater will be the impact. 4.6.4 Medium Colour used in the presentation of information should be adapted to suit its medium and shoul
45、d be reconsidered if information is to be transferred from one medium to another. Paper generally provides a light-coloured background against which colours with a dark tonal value are most legible, black giving the strongest contrast. Screens and slides transmit colours of great brilliance, particu
46、larly white, yellow, cyan and green, which show well against a dark background.BS7581:1992 4 BSI 04-1999 4.6.5 Colour coding If colour coding is used to distinguish related pieces of information, no one colour should be too prominent or too retiring. All colours should give sufficient contrast with
47、the background. Any coloured area should be large enough for the eye to distinguish the colour. Not more than seven colours should be used in any scheme and not more than four if the reader is required to memorize their significance. 4.7 Powers of10 When, for example to save space or typing, powers
48、of10 appear in the headings of columns in tables or in the labels of graph axes, it is essential that the information is presented unambiguously to obviate any possible misinterpretation of the order of magnitude of the quantities recorded. They should be treated according to the ordinary rules of a
49、lgebra in the same way as other elements, especially quantities and units, in such headings and labels. As an example of applying the principles involved, Figure 2 indicates some convenient ways of tabulating a group of speeds. 5 Tables 5.1 Purpose Tables should be used to supplement, clarify, summarize or replace text, to avoid repetition or to compare differences or similarities. They may also be used on their own for reference (e.g.timetables). Often two or more simple tables will be clearer than one complex one. The informat
