LibGuides: Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP): Data Visualization

Workshop Activities & Presentation

Data Visualization Part 1
A recording of part 1 of the data visualization workshop. This section focuses on data visualization basics.
Data Visualization Part 2
A recording of part 2 of the data visualization workshop. This section focuses on identifying misleading visualizations.
Data Visualization Part 3
A recording of part 3 of the data visualization workshop. This section focuses on the different forms of visualizations.
Understanding Data Visualizations Presentation
PowerPoint slides for Raising the Bar: Understanding Data Visualizations workshop.
Misleading Visualization Activity
Review the three visualizations. For each misleading visualization, use the DIG method to determine how it is misleading. For each visualization consider how can it be made better?
Selecting Visualization Types Activity
Review the three scenarios. For each scenario, determine the appropriate type of visualization to best represent the data. Choose from bar chart, histogram, line graph, map, or pie chart.

What is a Data Visualization?

The graphical representation of information and data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualizations provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data. From Tableau.

Principles of Data Visualizations

Design Principles: Color

Hue

(Color Name)

Chroma

(Saturation)

Value

(Brightness)

Context

(External factors)

Useful for comparing categories that are not ordered

Useful for ordered relationships

Consider the cultural, social, and political context

Resources for Accessible Color Design

Design Principles: Gestalt

“Gestalt Principles are principles/laws of human perception that describe how humans group similar elements, recognize patterns and simplify complex images when we perceive objects.” Interaction Design Foundation

Image from https://uxhints.com/visual-ui-design/gestalt-principles/

Resources for Gestalt Principles

Forms of Data Visualizations

Choosing the appropriate type of visualization suited to your data can improve the readability and communication of your message. Consider the following when choosing a type:

Different visualization forms have different functions
Different types of data need different visualization forms

Common Types of Visualizations

Bar Chart	Best for categorical data or group-based data Tip: intentionally order bars
Line Graph	Best for showing value changes over time Comparing lots of data at same time Forecasting data
Pie Chart	Used for part-to-whole relationships Conveying a segment as relatively small or large Note: exact comparisons are difficult
Histogram	Similar to a bar chart Best for grouping numbers into ranges
Maps	Useful for showing geographically based datasets Multiple types of maps, with common types including: Bubble Maps (displays location and population) Dot Maps (displays location)

Resources for Selecting Visualization Type

Evaluating Data Visualizations for Accuracy

Use the Digital Image Guide (DIG) Method to help you spot misleading data visualizations.

ANALYZING

Review and describe the image.
Review the text.
React to the image.

INTERPRETING

Determine the source (creator, publisher, and/or website) of the image.
Determine the message of the image.
Determine the context (social, political, cultural) of the image.

EVALUATING

Think back to your first reaction of the image.
Assess the reliability and accuracy of the image.
Refer to the other sources/websites that have shared or used the image.

COMPREHENDING

Form your own judgement on the image.
Assess your biases or point of views and how it may impact how you view the image.
Determine the purpose of the image.

Adapted from https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1076&context=faculty

Cognitive Biases in Visualizations by Geoffrey Ellis (Editor)
ISBN: 9783319958309
Publication Date: 2018-10-10
This book brings together the latest research in this new and exciting area of visualization, looking at classifying and modelling cognitive biases, together with user studies which reveal their undesirable impact on human judgement, and demonstrating how visual analytic techniques can provide effective support for mitigating key biases.

Tools for Creating Data Visualizations

Tableau - Visual analytics platform

Tableau for Students
Free access to Tableau Desktop for 1 year.
Tableau Certification at LMU
The Tableau Certification is offered by LMU AIMS/ISBA Society.

Excel - Spreadsheet software program and data visualization tool

Charts in Excel
Step-by-step guide to create charts in Excel.
Excel: Introduction to Charts and Graphs
LinkedIn Learning course. You'll need your MyLMU credentials to access.

R - Programming language and free software for statistical computing and graphics

The R Project
Official website for R with download instructions and documentation.
R Essential Training: Wrangling and Visualizing Data
LinkedIn Learning course. You'll need your LMU credentials to access.