OPTASPECT: Stata module to compute heuristic criteria for optimal aspect ratios in a two-variable line plot

Demetris Christodoulou

Statistical Software Components from Boston College Department of Economics

Abstract: The command optaspect calculates the optimal aspect ratio for a two-variable line graph using a number of heuristic criteria that are based on the principle of maximizing the contrast between the many line segments. Line plots encode a series of slopes from adjoining coordinates with the purpose of revealing suggestive patterns in the sequential rates of change. The judged prevalence of patterns in the bivariate series and the degree of steepness in the rates of change is largely determined by the choice of aspect ratio that is imposed on the line plot. Choosing an appropriate aspect ratio is key in designing informative line plots.

Language: Stata
Requires: Stata version 10
Keywords: graphics; line plot; line graph; aspect ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-11-22
Note: This module should be installed from within Stata by typing "ssc install optaspect". The module is made available under terms of the GPL v3 (https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.txt). Windows users should not attempt to download these files with a web browser.
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http://fmwww.bc.edu/repec/bocode/o/optaspect.ado program code (text/plain)
http://fmwww.bc.edu/repec/bocode/o/optaspect.sthlp help file (text/plain)

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