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Homework answers / question archive / ESR 173 Lab 4: Data Visualization Storytelling with Science Purpose: The purpose of this exercise is to give you the opportunity to explore data visualization tools and their applications
ESR 173 Lab 4: Data Visualization
Storytelling with Science
Purpose:
The purpose of this exercise is to give you the opportunity to explore data visualization tools and their applications. You’ll be able to practice deciding what type of tool to use for data you find, and data you have collected. You’ll also learn more about strategies to interpret visual data such as charts and graphs.
Background:
Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. By using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualization tools provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data (Tableau, 2019). Data visualization is a tool for visual storytelling which can be especially important in the realm of science, to ensure that the message or narrative being told is clear to not only the scientific community but the public. Not all graphs or charts help in telling a story - too simple or too elaborate and the message can be lost.
The creation and use of data visualization are skills to be practiced, and worth learning.
What is data?
There are two main types of data that scientists collect when exploring different scientific concepts - qualitative and quantitative. Data is commonly the product of measurements or observations.
Qualitative - quality - information not numerical in nature; descriptive, and regards phenomenon which can be observed but not measured.
Ex. Public opinions about climate action
Quantitative - quantity - information that is numerical in nature; measurable
Ex. Temperature, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, ocean pH
NOTE: In some cases and particularly in Chemistry, quantitative data can be collected through modeling or calculations, rather than direct measurements, depending on the scale (i.e. length of a bond, quantity of a byproduct in a chemical reaction)
What are the major types of data visualization tools, and how are they used?
Review some great overviews by Storytellingwithdata.com to explore the following:
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2. As mentioned previously, not all visual tools tell a story that is accessible for everyone. Explore Kaiser Fung's website JunkCharts.typepad.com and describe, briefly, an example of a poor data representation based on your own interpretations.
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3. Explore three (3) of the following websites that host web-based access to data visualization and infographics:
Include the following information (where applicable):
Site 1: ______________________________________________________________________
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Site 2: ______________________________________________________________________
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Site 3: ______________________________________________________________________
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4. In upcoming labs, you’ll be developing your own data visualizations using selected datasets related to a variety of environmental science topics. Additional guidance for the use of Google Sheets will be provided.
Before we apply this learning directly in Google Sheets, consider what data visualization tools would be best to communicate the following stories, and why (datasets from DataNuggets) (3 points)
HINT: Revisit Background section to recall different uses for various types of data visualizations including line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts.
Type of data visualization you could make and why
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Type of data visualization you could make and why
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Type of data visualization you could make and why
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5. Reflect on data you may include in your Perspectives Project. In what ways might you use data visualization to strengthen your message? (1 point)
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Some Additional tools to consider when planning for your project:
https://www.springboard.com/blog/free-public-data-sets-data-science-project/
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