Choose a map type for my location data
Chooses between a shaded-area map, a point map and a table for your location data, and warns about the usual map traps.
Task:
Decide whether my location data is best shown as a shaded-area map, a point map or no map at all.
Context:
My data has one row per [region, address or event] with these fields [field names]. About [number of rows] rows. The audience is [audience] and the point to make is [the point].
Rules:
- Judge whether location is the point or only a label, how big the areas differ in size and population, and whether points would overlap.
- Name the two traps most likely with my data, for example big empty areas drawing the eye or raw counts that only mirror population.
- Say which of my facts you relied on. If the field names do not tell you enough, ask me one question first.
Result:
The verdict in one sentence, then a short list of three reasons and the two traps, and one line on a fallback chart if a map is not the best choice.