Bubble charts are a type of data visualization tool which combines elements of a scatter plot and a bubble map. They are used to display and compare three sets of data simultaneously.
A bubble on the chart represents each data point. The bubble’s position on the X and Y axes corresponds to the values of the first and second variables, while the bubble size corresponds to the third variable. Larger bubbles indicate larger values for the third variable.
Bubble charts are helpful when visualizing and comparing data with three quantitative variables. They can reveal patterns, trends, and relationships that may not be immediately apparent in other charts.
Some common uses of bubble charts are:
- Economic data: Displaying economic data, such as GDP (Gross Domestic Product) on one axis, population on another, and the size of the bubbles representing something like government spending or exports.
- Scientific data**: Visualizing scientific data where the X and Y axes represent two independent variables, and the size of the bubbles might represent a third measurement, like temperature or concentration.
- Market analysis: Analyzing market data, with price on one axis, volume on another, and the bubble size indicating market capitalization.
- Geospatial data: Creating geospatial bubble maps where the X and Y coordinates represent geographical locations, and the bubble size represents some attribute, such as the number of COVID-19 cases in different regions.
Bubble charts are effective in conveying the relationships between multiple variables but can become cluttered with a large number of bubbles. Providing clear labels and a legend is vital to help viewers interpret the data accurately.
List of recommended resources #
For a broad overview #
A Complete Guide to Bubble Charts
This Chartio data tutorial by Mike Yi gives a broad overview of bubble charts used for representing the relationship between three numeric variables.
Present your data in a bubble chart
This Microsoft Support blog gives an easy-to-follow guide on how to create bubble charts in Excel.
For in depth understanding #
Data Visualization: A Practical Introduction
This accessible primer by Kieran Healy explains how to create effective graphics from data. It explains what makes some graphs succeed while others fail and how to think about data visualization in an honest and effective way.
Effective Data Visualization: The Right Chart for the Right Data
Written by Stephanie D. H. Evergreen, this comprehensive how-to guide shows readers how to create Excel charts and graphs that best communicate their data findings
Case study #
Everyone does it—differently: A window into emerging adults’ smartphone use
This paper uses a bubble chart to depict social media platform use. The bubbles in this chart depict which social media platforms were used by how many participants in the study, and in which combinations.
Learning Analytics Integrating Student Attendance Data
This doctoral thesis by Cameron Gray makes use of bubble charts to show the difference in price variation and sales volume variation for two store types.
References #
Data Visualization Resources: Types of Charts and Graphs for Data Viz
