What is Data Visualization?

Summary

Data visualization is a powerful tool at the crossroads of communication, information science, and design, offering intuitive insights into complex data sets. It's recognized as a vital 21st-century skill, with simple forms like graphs and pie charts evolving alongside advanced computer-assisted text analysis. The internet has popularized infographics, while data journalism heavily relies on visualization for impactful reporting. Tools like Many Eyes, Gapminder, and Highcharts facilitate creating interactive and dynamic visual representations, making data exploration accessible to a wide audience.

Takeaways

• 📊 Data visualization is the graphical representation of information, combining communication, information science, and design to provide insights into complex data sets.
• 🌐 Its main advantage is not aesthetic appeal but the ability to communicate key aspects of data in an intuitive and meaningful way.
• 🔍 Data visualization has been recognized as a crucial 21st-century research skill, essential for understanding and interpreting large data sets.
• 📈 Traditional forms of data visualization, such as graphs, pie charts, and maps, have been used for a long time to simplify data interpretation.
• 💻 Modern computer technology has advanced data visualization, allowing for the analysis of text to produce graphical representations like word diagrams.
• 📊 Infographics have become a popular tool in internet media, helping to convey complex information in a digestible format.
• 🌐 Data journalism heavily relies on data visualization tools to report news and communicate global trends effectively.
• 🛠️ There are various tools available for creating data visualizations, including spreadsheets and illustration applications, making it accessible to many.
• 🔍 'Many Eyes' is a free online data visualization tool by IBM that offers a range of visualization types for different data analysis needs.
• 🌍 'Gapminder' is a service that collects and visualizes global data trends over time, offering a unique perspective on population and economic changes.
• 📈 'Hi Charts' is an online service for creating interactive JavaScript charts, useful for displaying individual data points interactively.
• 📚 For further development of presentation and research skills, resources like the Learning Commons study toolkits and online workshops are available.

Q & A

What is data visualization?

Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data, which lies at the intersection of communication, information science, and design.

What is the main advantage of data visualization?

The main advantage of data visualization is that it provides insight into complex data sets by communicating their key aspects in more intuitive and meaningful ways.

Why is data visualization considered a key 21st-century research skill?

Data visualization is considered a key 21st-century research skill because it enables the analysis and interpretation of large and complex data sets, making it easier to understand and communicate findings.

What are some simple forms of data visualization that have been around for a long time?

Simple forms of data visualization include graphs, pie charts, and maps.

How has computer technology impacted data visualization?

Computer technology has enabled the analysis of text to produce graphical representations of prominent concepts, such as word diagrams.

What is the role of information graphics or infographics in today's media?

Information graphics or infographics have become a mainstream tool of internet media, helping to convey complex information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.

How does data journalism rely on data visualization tools?

Data journalism relies on data visualization tools as the prime basis of reporting news about the world, making data accessible and understandable to the general public.

What are some online tools that can help get started with data visualization?

Many Eyes and Gapminder are examples of online tools that can help users get started with data visualization, offering various types of visualizations and the ability to work with existing or uploaded data.

What is Many Eyes and what does it offer to users?

Many Eyes is a free online data visualization tool created by IBM, allowing users to choose from existing data sets or upload their own data and select from various visualization types.

What is Gapminder and how does it innovate in data visualization?

Gapminder is a free online service that collects data and allows users to select world trends and compare them using a bubble chart. Its main innovation is displaying data changes over time, enabling the visualization of trends such as population growth.

What is Highcharts and how can it be used for data visualization?

Highcharts is an online data visualization service that is free for non-commercial use. It produces interactive JavaScript charts that can display individual data points when hovered over, offering a dynamic way to explore data.

Where can one find more ideas on presentation and research skills related to data visualization?

For more ideas on presentation and research skills related to data visualization, one can visit the Learning Commons study toolkits or attend one of their online workshops.