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Intro To Data Viz 2016

This document provides an introduction to data visualization. It defines data visualization as using visual representations of raw data to interpret and gain insights from large amounts of information. The document discusses how data visualization can enhance learning, understanding, reasoning and decision making by allowing users to detect patterns, trends, and correlations in data. It provides examples of different types of visualizations and considerations for creating effective visualizations, such as determining the goal, audience, data encoding, and interactivity. The document recommends resources like the Data Visualization Catalogue for finding suitable visualization types and provides real-world examples of data visualizations.

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70 views25 pages

Intro To Data Viz 2016

This document provides an introduction to data visualization. It defines data visualization as using visual representations of raw data to interpret and gain insights from large amounts of information. The document discusses how data visualization can enhance learning, understanding, reasoning and decision making by allowing users to detect patterns, trends, and correlations in data. It provides examples of different types of visualizations and considerations for creating effective visualizations, such as determining the goal, audience, data encoding, and interactivity. The document recommends resources like the Data Visualization Catalogue for finding suitable visualization types and provides real-world examples of data visualizations.

Uploaded by

NicholasRahe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Data

Visualization
Rebecca Bartlett, Heather MacDonald, Scott Turner
Overview
• Introduction to data visualization theory
• Examples of data visualizations
• Guide to data visualization
Data Visualization Theory
What is Data Visualization?

Data (or information) visualization is used to interpret and gain insight


into large amounts of data. This is achieved through visual
representations, often interactive, of raw data.
Data Visualization:
• Enhances learning
• Enhances understanding
• Enhances reasoning
• Helps in decision making

Data visualization acts as a link between the raw data and our
engagement with it.
Data Visualization…

Can lead a user to Can then prompt a user to


• Detect patterns • Draw inferences

• Detect trends • Anticipate potential trajectories


and outcomes

• Detect correlations in data • Ask new questions of the data


that wouldn’t have otherwise
been considered
…some visualizations allow the user to filter out undesirable properties
in the dataset. This produces a refined list of results to better help with
decision making or understanding (think facets on a database).

So let’s apply these ideas to an example:

• The Middle East: Key Players & Notable Relationships


The Data Visualization Catalogue

• Provides an excellent introduction to different types of visualizations


• Explore the Search by Function feature to find the best visualizations
for a given purpose
Thinking about Creating a Data Visualization

• Determine what you are ultimately trying to communicate


• Determine which visualization best achieves your aim in the clearest
manner possible
Further Considerations
• What data (or subset of data) is relevant for your aim?
• Who is your audience?
• How will you encode your data?
• How will you structure the visualization?
• How will you demonstrate the relationship between data?
• Determine the scale of your visualization.
• Which elements will the user interact with?
• Will a user intuitively understand how the visualization works and
what it represents?
A Few More Concepts…
• A visualization is in some sense a system of data
• Systems of data are often hierarchical
• Within the hierarchy, there may be many sub-systems/sub-
hierarchies
• A system is made up of entities, which potentially have multiple
properties
• All entities in a system will have some relationship to one another
Putting these Considerations and Concepts
into Practice
• Interacting with Google Maps
Data Visualization Examples
http://web.archive.org/web/20130306083700/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/03/04/sk-drinking-age-1303.html
http://usvsth3m.com/post/82779802419/creator-defends-graph-that-appears-to-erroneously-show
http://www.mediaite.com/print/divided-no-more-wall-street-journal-prints-hilariously-confusing-electoral-map-showing-unanimous-obama-win/
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/ontario-no-longer-a-place-to-prosper.pdf
http://xkcd.com/1649/
http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/putting-canada-on-the-map/
http://research.google.com/bigpicture/music/#
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/carbon-emissions-2015/
Powerful Visualization, but not Immediately
Intuitive
• Digital Commons Network – Open Access. Powered by Scholars.
Published by Universities.
Using Visualization for Story-Telling
• Connected China – Reuters
Proximity Relationships in Context
• Looking Back: How Different Groups Voted (2008 U.S. Presidential
election, Democratic nomination)
Data Visualization Guide
https://library.carleton.ca/research/subject-guides/data-visualization-detailed-
guide

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