Directions

In this chapter we discussed why well-designed data graphics are important and we described a taxonomy for understanding their composition.

The objective of this assignment is for you to understand what characteristics you can use to develop a great data graphic.

Each question is worth 5 points.

To submit this homework you will create the document in Rstudio, using the knitr package (button included in Rstudio) and then submit the document to your Rpubs account. Once uploaded you will submit the link to that document on Canvas. Please make sure that this link is hyper linked and that I can see the visualization and the code required to create it.

Question #1

Answer the following questions for this graphic Relationship between ages and psychosocial maturity

  1. Identify the visual cues, coordinate system, and scale(s)

  2. How many variables are depicted in the graph? Explicitly link each variable to a visual cue that you listed above.

  3. Critique this data graphic using the taxonomy described in the lecture.

  4. Visual cues: color, length, position. coordinate system: Cartesian coordinate system Scale: time as x-scale and numeric as y-scale

  5. Menarche/Psychosocial Maturation is depicted by color. Age spans are depicted by length. Age and time period are depicted by positions.

  6. The data graphic has color visual cues to distinguish menarche and psychosocial maturation to present the fact that the pattern changin across period for different age span about Menarche and Psychosocial Maturation. The mismatch between menarche and psychosocial maturation is clearly represented in the graphic. However, a legend or key should be provided to help the audience understand the meaning of the visual cues used in the graph.

Question #2

Answer the following questions for this graphic World’s top 10 best selling cigarette brands 2004-2007

  1. Identify the visual cues, coordinate system, and scale(s)

  2. How many variables are depicted in the graph? Explicitly link each variable to a visual cue that you listed above.

  3. Critique this data graphic using the taxonomy described in the lecture.

  4. Visual cues: color and length. coordinate system: Cartesian coordinate system Scale: linear (numerical for x-axis and categorical for y-axis)

  5. There are 10 variables listed in total. Mariboro - color & length Mild seven - color & length L&M - color & length Winston - color & length Carnel - color & length Cleopatra - color & length Derby - color & length Pall Mall - color & length Kent - color & length Wills gold flake - color & length

  6. The graph uses color and length as visual cues to clearly represent the best-selling cigrette brand between 2004-2007. The labels are clear and understandable. The title is also helpful for giving out the context. The only compliant is that maraboro and winston use the same color. It would be better to diverse the color.

Question #3

Find two data graphics published in a newspaper on on the internet in the last two years.

  1. Identify a graphical display that you find compelling. What aspects of the display work well, and how do these relate to the principles that we have just gone over in lecture. Include a screenshot of the display along with your solution (Hint:use the following in a code chunk: knitr::include_graphics(“your_graphic”).

  2. Identify a graphical display that you find less compelling. What aspects of the display don’t work well? Are there ways that the display might be improved? Include a screenshot of the display along with your solution (Hint:use the following in a code chunk: knitr::include_graphics(“your_graphic”).

knitr::include_graphics("Data1.png")

a: https://twitter.com/OurWorldInData/status/1422165405439873024/photo/1 The graph captures my attention as it is meticulously crafted with intricate details and clear, easily understandable visuals.This graph is well-designed with meticulous attention to detail and clear, easily understandable visuals. The use of contrasting colors and shades for the data points and background facilitates distinction between different elements, keeping the focus on the data. Additionally, clear labels and headings allow for quick comprehension of the main point, without the need for extended interpretation. These aspects align with the principles covered in lecture, including the significance of clarity, simplicity, and consistency in data visualization. Effective data visualizations should be constructed to convey information with speed and accuracy, and the features of this graph effectively uphold these principles.

knitr::include_graphics("Data2.png")

b: https://i.stack.imgur.com/PU5NN.png knitr::include_graphics(“Data2.png”) This is a example for an less compelling graphic,The chart suffers from several issues that detract from its effectiveness in communicating the data. Firstly, there are too many data points on the chart, which can lead to over plotting and make it difficult to distinguish between them. Additionally, the legend is positioned in the middle of the chart, which can make it harder to read and affect its clarity. Lastly, there is no indication of the units of measurement or the data source, which can make it difficult to interpret the data accurately. To address these issues, several steps could be taken, such as reducing the number of data points shown on the chart, using alternative plotting techniques like density or heat maps, moving the legend to a less obtrusive location, and including units of measurement and a data source to provide context and improve the viewer’s understanding of the data.

Question #4

Briefly (one paragraph) critique the designer’s choices. Would you have made different choices? Why or why not? Note: Link contains a collection of many data graphics, and I don’t expect (or want) you to write a full report on each individual graphic. But each collection shares some common stylistic elements. You should comment on a few things that you notice about the design of the collection.

What is a Data Scientist

Answer: The data graphics in this collection feature a consistent color palette and font style, which creates a cohesive visual experience. However, some of the graphics suffer from poor design choices, such as cluttered layouts and insufficient labeling. For example, in the “World Internet Usage and Population Statistics” graphic, the legends are difficult to read due to the small font size and lack of contrast with the background. Additionally, some of the graphics use misleading or unclear visual representations, which can make it difficult for readers to understand the data being presented. If I were designing this collection, I would focus on simplifying the layout and increasing the legibility of the text and legends. I would also consider using more intuitive visual representations that clearly convey the data being presented. For example, in the “How Big is a Petabyte?” graphic, I would use a more recognizable object to represent a petabyte, such as a stack of hard drives or a room filled with data servers, rather than a abstract graphic of a person. Overall, I would prioritize clarity and simplicity in order to make the data more accessible and understandable to a wide audience.

Question #5

Briefly (one paragraph) critique the designer’s choices. Would you have made different choices? Why or why not? Note: Link contains a collection of many data graphics, and I don’t expect (or want) you to write a full report on each individual graphic. But each collection shares some common stylistic elements. You should comment on a few things that you notice about the design of the collection.

Charts that explain food in America

Answer: The data graphics in this collection presenting information in a visually appealing way. Graphics use a variety of visual elements, such as maps, charts, and illustrations, to present the data in an engaging and dynamic way, making it more interesting and captivating to the viewer. Second, the use of bright colors and clear labeling helps in making the information easy to understand at a glance. Finally, the collection presents a wealth of information on a wide range of food-related topics, providing a comprehensive view of food in America. I would have made the same choices because I think the use of vibrant colors and clear labeling helps in making the graphics easy to comprehend at a glance.