Please check my stat charts and comments

$teve

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Hi there

I hope this is in the right forum. Math is one of my life weaknesses. :confused: But I got to say I love stats even though I don't know how best to work with them! Accordingly this query may be rudimentary. I'm troubled by a couple of things I hope you may be able to assist. I've researched this but I'm still not sure and seek advice.

Below is an extract of an article I am writing about the growing use of non-cash payment methods in Australia. Noting this is not an academic paper but more journalism. I am using statistical data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (Tables C1, C4, C5, C6 Payment Systems) at http://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/tables/index.html.

What I have done with the data is average the results over a 12 month period (ie Jan to Dec) for each year to make one yearly result to create the charts. I have called these average monthly volumes and values or otherwise just monthly volumes and values. Links to the charts are below in the extract.

Part of my research involved looking at the Australian Payments Clearing Association statistical data. For example, their monthly volumes and values for card transactions here: http://www.apca.com.au/payment-statistics/transaction-statistics/cards.

Can you please look at my extract below and advise? I'm not concerned with my calculations as such. But are my charts and explanations sound? Are my charts /chart titles correct? Is there anything here that is glaringly wrong?

I hope I have explained this well. I am happy to provide more info or clarity.

I really appreciate any advise or comments.

__________

For example, the total number of cheques we use dropped 16.3 per cent in 2015 from the previous year. While a comparison between 2008 and 2015 showed our use of cheques fell by 62 per cent and values decline 24 per cent over the eight year period.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/km9y6/2/

In 2015, we made 58.4 million monthly withdrawals from ATMs in Australia, compared with 61.8 million the previous year, representing a 5.5 per cent decline. Our monthly withdrawals declined from 72.2 million in 2008 to 58.4 million in 2015 - a 19 per cent decrease over this period.

Even as a secular decline in ATM withdrawals began in 2008, our use of payment cards grew as credit and debit card transactions penetrate deeper in the economy.

Credit card transactions rose from 121 million per month in 2008 to 191 million in 2015, representing a 58 per cent increase. Meanwhile our use of debit cards surged 146 per cent, rising from 146 million transactions in 2008 to 359 million in 2015.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/iGDVH/2/

In terms of value, our monthly withdrawals from ATMs fell to $11.73 billion in 2015 from $12.63 billion in 2008, representing a 7.1 per cent decline. This compares with our increased spending on credit cards from $18.35 billion per month in 2008 to $25.73 billion in 2015, while our monthly spend on debit cards more than doubled from $10.13 billion to $20.5 billion.

http://cf.datawrapper.de/Er2ff/1/

Direct debit, direct credit and BPAY are commonly used by businesses, financial institutions and governments to make a range of transactions such as bill collections, salaries and welfare payments. There’s been strong growth in direct debit and direct credit transactions in recent years as more of us choose to pay through alternative electronic and online payment schemes.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/AjenH/2/
 
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What are you trying to accomplish? I mean, given a list of values, we can confirm (or deny) that you obtained the correct averages for each year. But what is the point of your computations? What analysis are you attempting to do?

Thank you! ;)
 
Hey Stapel noanalyses or confirmation of the results, I'm just presenting a visual ofthe volume and values of the data.

Are these chartsappropriate for presenting monthly data to show what has been happening withdecreasing / increasing use of cheques, credit and debit cards, withdrawalsfrom ATMs, direct debits and credits over the years to 2015?
 
No analyses or confirmation of the results. I'm just presenting a visual of the volume and values of the data.

Are these charts appropriate for presenting monthly data to show what has been happening with decreasing / increasing use of cheques, credit and debit cards, withdrawal sfrom ATMs, direct debits and credits over the years to 2015?
If the charts clearly display the information that you want to show, then they're probably "appropriate". ;)
 
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