2. Charts *

If the actual numbers are not important and you simply wish to convey the broad patterns and trends, charts are often useful. Among them there are maps and diagrams of various kinds, as well as graphs of numerical data. In Figure 2 below one can see illustrations of such charts (graphs) as:

• line charts,

• bar charts,

• pie charts.

If you are interested you may get acquainted with the definitions of these notions given in aframe below.

Line chart (graph) – especially useful for showing trends and patterns over time. If time is shown along the bottom of the graph, the particular variable that is of interest can be shown along the left hand axis. Bar chart – represents variables as horizontal or vertical bars. The lengths of the bars correspond to the totals shown in the columns or rows of a table. Pie chart – a circular graph that, like a pie, can be divided into separate slices. If the area of the whole circle is made to represent a total figure, then the area of each slice represents the share of the total belonging to a particular social group or category.

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Certain skills are needed to construct charts by hand, but this is not always necessary. Many word-processing programs now contain built in routines for producing tables and for converting them, instantly, to line charts, bar charts, and pie charts, as do all spreadsheets. Researchers who use survey analysis and statistical packages will have even more facilities available to them. So long as the general principles are understood, the computer takes care of the details.

Figure 2.

Types of graph

L ine chart

(линейная диаграмма)

B ar chart

(столбцовая диаграмма, bar – брус)

Pie-chart

(круговая диаграмма)

The information in these figures is artificial and is used simply to illustrate the three types of graph. For this reason we have not included all the titles and labels that you would find on an actual graph.

3. Figures

The notion “figure” is the widest: it embraces all kind of picturing database. The Free Online dictionary gives 11 definitions of this term out of which only three are more or less comparable.

fig·ure , n. -- 2. a. Mathematics A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure. 7. a. A diagram. b. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure. 8. An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.

(Здесь будут фотографии Белорусского и Вильнюсского университетов)

3.2. Examine Figure 1.1 (the structure of Vilnius University) and Figure 1.2 (the structure of the Belarusian State University). In what way do they reflect the essence of the notion “university”? Is there any difference between the structures of the BSU and VU? Fill in table 1.3.

Table 1.3.

№	What is the difference?	The BSU	VU
1	Numbers of vice-rectors	5	7
2	…	…	…
3	…	…	…