Star plot map

http://personal.cscs.ch/~mvalle/Libro/immagini.html

The above map is called a star plot and is a somewhat unknown but very useful tool in the world of mapping because it is able to take a characteristic that has many variables in it and display them at the same time so that the various types and varieties within a larger subgroup can be seen. For example, this star plot map is talking about cars and offers information about a certain car in seven characteristics, including acceleration, the year it was made, the miles per gallon, horsepower, etc. Although the green area of the star extends all the way out to the tips of the star, the blue squares represent the actual data for this one car, but for each large subgroup, such as "automobiles" there could be a number of star plots for more specific groups, Honda, Saturn, etc. Star plots are one of the best visual tools because they easily show how things can be compared and contrasted, giving the map reader the option of putting the most value on the feature of the star plot that they believe is the most important.

Correlation matrix map

http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n6/fig_tab/3800593f2.html

This map is an example of a correlation matrix map, which although similar to a similarity matrix, also is different because it deals more with the how two things are related in terms of function and process. The above map is really cool because it takes all the genes from one of the chromosomes in the human body and shows how each gene relates to another. This is important because it could help to find replacement genes or do more research on genes that are similar in function, in case one copy is damaged. These kinds of maps are helpful in general for relating two features and can help by making connections that might take a long time to map out and then compare, or even find at all.

Similarity matrix map

www.cse.iitb.ac.in/~prnv/html/html_sim/index.html

When people think of geography, one of the main ideas that come to mind is the use of maps as a way to go from one place to another, usually in which the destination is unknown. However, in this example of a similarity matrix, even though the idea of a fold out map doesn’t really relate, this map does take a spinoff of the general theme. In this specific map, a comparison was made between the not only the different books in the Bible, but also between different translations in the language by changing all of the letters and spaces to numbers. From the data above from an English translation, it can be seen that although there are some differences between different books, there is definitely a trend or pattern in the way that the books were written. Also, another map compares this one to an Italian version, which also shows strong internal correlations, as well as connections to the English version, giving the notion that at least they were written in a similar period and that there is authenticity through consistency.

Stem and leaf plot

illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L323

This map is an example of a stem and leaf plot and is in reference to data that was gathered in a paper airplane experiment for children. The map compiled all of the data and then split it up according to first number with the corresponding numbers on the other side of the line. This map is crucial in the study of maps because its a new way to represent simple raw data. By displaying information in this manner, it is easier to see the median and also to see the range and variance within the data set.

Box plot map

http://www.nature.com/jcbfm/journal/v28/n4/full/9600584a.html

The above example is a map called a histogram and this one shows data that has been taken on different patients and their levels of DVR, a certain response to a biological technique. Histograms are really meaningful because they provide two ways to look at data, helping to give a better understanding of any anomalies within the data, while at the same time not having to look at all of the individual facts. Above, the data shows that the normal level of DVR is 5 and then there are various combinations of components to achieve this level. This map is able to help the reader by showing the average, or mean, which is the boxed area, but also gives the full range by presenting some of the outliers, through the extended lines. This is great for this project because it gives the opportunity to see the average, or the general pattern of the data, while still showing any possible, more "interesting" results.

Histogram

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:UK_abortion_by_gestational_age_2004_histogram.svg

This histogram map is one that shows that maps can be more than just topographical maps of Canada or books about unknown places like the jungles of Brazil. Maps are able to bring people information, sometimes very important, but also very controversial. The above graph shows the statistics for abortions in the U.K. after varying numbers of weeks. Although this data might seem unimportant, or even not wanted, maps really help to visualize to people what raw data says. Here, it is much easier to get the sense of how early on women chose to do this treatment, and although it might be offensive for some women to understand, this map is able to put things into perspective for all parties involved.

Parallel coordinate graph

hcil.cs.umd.edu/trs/2001-22/2001-22.html

This is known as a parallel coordinate map which is a map in which several different sets of information are able to be graphed, in the same plane, on the same graph. Above is a great example of this exact kind of map because it is part of a paper whose goal is to try and convey that information should be made available to the masses, and one great way is the parallel coordinate graph, which compiles and displays a lot of information in one way. These graphs can be used in instances where there are several factors that affect the outcome or when many factors need to be taken into account to get the "big picture." For this specific map, the colored lines actually represent cars and the sections are all the factors that affect them when they're being operated.