How should data be selected for a presentation?

• A. Include all available metrics regardless of relevance
• B. Include the most relevant metrics that led to insights; avoid too little or too much data
• C. Include only data that supports your conclusion
• D. Use data from external sources only

Answer: (B)

When selecting data for a presentation, the goal is to present the metrics that matter most and directly support the insights you’ve drawn. Choose the metrics that led to the conclusions and decisions, not every number you have. This keeps the story clear and persuasive while you show enough evidence to back your claims.

Think of it as telling a concise data story: present the data that answers what happened, why it happened, and what should be done next. Visuals should highlight the trends, comparisons, or percentages that illuminate the main insight, and you should provide enough context—time frame, sample size, and any caveats—to keep the interpretation accurate.

Too little data risks leaving the audience with an unanswered question or weak justification. Too much data overwhelms and distracts from the takeaway, making it hard to see the signal in the noise. The emphasis should be on relevance and balance.

Including data that only supports your conclusion is biased and misleading, because it omits important context that could alter decisions. And relying solely on external sources can neglect internal context that is often critical to understanding implications; external data can supplement, but it shouldn’t be the only source.

In short, pick the most relevant metrics that led to insights, present them clearly, and provide enough context to support credible, actionable conclusions.