Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex relationships between data. They are becoming increasingly popular in fields such as social and behavioral sciences, economics, engineering, and more. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating a Sankey chart and the applications it can be used for.
What are Sankey Diagrams?
Sankey diagrams are graphs that use pipes as nodes and arrows as lines to represent relationships between objects. They are named after Sankey, an English mathematician who is known for inventing the first diagrams of this type in the late 1800s.
To create a Sankey chart, you need to define a list of nodes (the sources and destinations) and their flows (the amount of flow). Once you have defined these elements, you can represent the relationships between them using pipes and arrows.
The most popular type of Sankey diagram is the linear diagram, in which the flow from the source node to the destination node is unidirectional. Another common type is a multi-diagram, in which both the direction of the flow from the source node to the destination node and the flow itself can be represented. There are also semi-diagrams, which are used when the relationships between nodes are complex and cannot be fully represented using linear or multi-diagrams.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of fields to represent complex relationships between data. Some of the most common applications include:
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
In social and behavioral sciences, Sankey charts are often used to represent social networks, relationships between people and groups, and change over time. For example, in the study of social networks, a Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of influence and power within a network.
- Economics
In economics, Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of resources (such as labor, capital, and information) between different economic entities (such as firms, industries, and countries). These diagrams can help to identify areas of inefficiency or opportunity in the system.
- Engineering
In engineering, Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of data and information between entities such as sensors, processors, and machines in a system. They can also be used to represent the flow of energy between different parts of a system, or the flow of information between different subsystems.
- Other fields
Sankey charts can also be used in marketing and advertising, sociology, psychology, and many other fields to represent complex relationships and insights.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart requires a basic understanding of graph theory and linear programming. While there are many software tools available to create Sankey charts, including Excel, QGIS, and D3.js, it is possible to create a Sankey chart with pen and paper.
- Define the nodes (the sources and destinations)
Begin by defining the nodes in your diagram, including the sources where data or information first enters the system and the destinations where it leaves. These can be represented using symbols or labels, which will be added to the chart later.
- Draw the arrows
Once you have defined the nodes, draw arrows to represent the flow from each source to destination. The length of the arrow indicates the amount of flow.
- Define the pipes
Pipes are used to divide the diagram into separate parts, or layers. These can be placed in different places on the chart, or even added to the drawing to represent different dimensions of the diagram (for example, an economic flow chart could have “labor” pipes, “capital” pipes, “information” pipes, etc.).
- Highlight the flow and identify the nodes
As you draw the arrows and nodes, add labels to each node to identify the flow and name the nodes. This will help you to better understand the relationships between the data you are representing.
- Add labels and legend
For each node, add a label to indicate the source and destination. Use color or symbols to distinguish the different elements. Additionally, you may want to add a legend to explain what symbols and colors represent (for example, in an economic flow chart, you might use blue pipes and blue arrows for investment, green pipes for consumption, etc).
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex relationships between data. If used effectively, they can reveal patterns, insights, and trends that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to recognize. Whether you’re working with social and behavioral data, economics, engineering, or another field, a Sankey chart can be a valuable tool for gaining a better understanding of the data you are working with.
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