I think there are good reasons to cut a y axis short, but you have to know your audience. If there are small differences, but you want to draw attention to those differences, it can make sense. I've done it in academic papers before, comparing scores in one group around 80% and scores in the other group around 87%. Statistically significant, but the full-scaled graph just doesn't present that information clearly. Scientists can handle looking at the y axis to check, but your everyday person likely won't.
mick4state t1_izjz9hm wrote
Reply to comment by spiral8888 in [OC] How to spot misleading charts? I would like to hear your opinion on the subject, also any tips design-wise? by dark_o3
I think there are good reasons to cut a y axis short, but you have to know your audience. If there are small differences, but you want to draw attention to those differences, it can make sense. I've done it in academic papers before, comparing scores in one group around 80% and scores in the other group around 87%. Statistically significant, but the full-scaled graph just doesn't present that information clearly. Scientists can handle looking at the y axis to check, but your everyday person likely won't.