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Dr. Aihua Li

In the era of big data, acquiring the ability to analyze and visually represent “Big Data” in a compelling manner is crucial. Therefore, it is essential for data scientists to develop the skills in producing and critically interpreting digital maps, charts, and graphs. Data visualization is an increasingly important topic in our globalized and digital society. It involves graphically representing data or information, enabling decision-makers across various industries to comprehend complex concepts and processes that may otherwise be challenging to grasp. DSCI 605 Data visualization serves as the foundation for understanding principles, concepts, techniques, and tools used to visualize information in large, intricate data sets. It also provides hands-on experience in visualizing big data using the open-source software R. Through the course, students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of visualization designs and think critically about decisions, such as color choice and visual encoding. Additionally, students will create their own data visualizations and become proficient in using R.

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In the era of big data, acquiring the ability to analyze and visually represent “Big Data” in a compelling manner is crucial. Therefore, it is essential for data scientists to develop the skills in producing and critically interpreting digital maps, charts, and graphs. Data visualization is an increasingly important topic in our globalized and digital society. It involves graphically representing data or information, enabling decision-makers across various industries to comprehend complex concepts and processes that may otherwise be challenging to grasp. DSCI 605 Data visualization serves as the foundation for understanding principles, concepts, techniques, and tools used to visualize information in large, intricate data sets. It also provides hands-on experience in visualizing big data using the open-source software R. Through the course, students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of visualization designs and think critically about decisions, such as color choice and visual encoding. Additionally, students will create their own data visualizations and become proficient in using R.

The course comprises four sections. The first section caters to learners with minimal or no experience in R, establishing the groundwork for data visualization with R. The second section introduces preliminary data visualization techniques, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with common visualization practices for Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) using ggplot2. This section emphasizes data exploration before delving into advanced data mining. The third section builds upon existing data visualization skills by delving into advanced data visualization topics, including interactive data visualization, time series plotting, and spatial mapping.

The primary objective of the first three sections is to equip students with a well-developed set of skills, enabling them to create a wide range of visualizations in R. The final section focuses on completing a final project, where students apply the skills, theory, and experiences gained from the previous sections. The project entails developing a data visualization that effectively communicates a compelling story to the audience and readers.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Data Visualization and Getting Started with R
In the first module, we will learn what is data visualization, why data visualization is necessary in data science field, what data visualization will do and what skills data visualization need. We will first get started with R by learning R basic and R Markdown to prepare the data visualization in the course.
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Graphics Components for Data Visualization
Understanding the elements and components of data visualization is essential for data visualization because it provides a systematic framework for creating effective and meaningful visual representations of data.In this module, we will explore the grammar of graphics, explain some rational, and introduce principles in data visualization, as well as describe the common Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) idioms' features and applications.
ggplot2
Let's get our hands wet with real data visualization-producing a graph. In this module, we will explore the powerful data visualization package ggplot2. In this module, you will learn basic usages of ggplot() function, the fill and color aesthetics, and learn to create a histogram using ggplot() and setting suitable bin numbers or bin width.
Embed Images and Tables in R Markdown Files
Now you have conducted the basic data wrangling, documented your work in R Markdown, and created your first data visualization in previous modules. In this module, you will learn to embed, create and refer to images and tables in R Markdown. In addition, you will learn to produce scatter plots, which further enrich your visualization experience and enhance your visualization skills.
Boxplot and Multiple-view Layout
This module will continue for one of the common EDA idioms-box plots to enrich your data visualization experience and will explore new technique-layout multiple plots on one page. In this module, you will learn to produce boxplots using ggplot(), interpret boxplots and arrange multiple plots on one page.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundational understanding of data visualization in the age of big data
Utilizes the open-source software R for hands-on experience in visualizing big data
Focuses on evaluating and critically interpreting data visualizations
Suitable for learners with minimal or no experience in R
Provides a comprehensive overview of data visualization principles, concepts, techniques, and tools
Culminates in a final project where students apply their skills to create a compelling data visualization

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Data Visualization with these activities:
Review the basics of R
Familiarize yourself with the R programming language, which is essential for data visualization in this course.
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  • Review basic R syntax and data structures
  • Practice loading, manipulating, and summarizing data in R
  • Create basic plots using the plot() function
Review past course materials on data visualization principles
Solidify your understanding of data visualization fundamentals.
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  • Review lecture notes and course materials
  • Complete practice exercises or quizzes
Review basic R programming concepts
Refresh your understanding of essential R programming skills for data analysis.
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  • Review the RStudio interface and basic syntax
  • Practice data import, cleaning, and transformation techniques
16 other activities
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Create a boxplot using ggplot2
Develop proficiency in using ggplot2 to visualize data effectively.
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  • Load a dataset into R
  • Use the ggplot() function to create a boxplot
  • Add labels, title, and axes to the plot
Explore the ggplot2 package
Gain hands-on experience with ggplot2, a powerful R package for creating visually appealing and informative data visualizations.
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  • Follow tutorials on ggplot2's grammar of graphics
  • Create different types of plots using ggplot2, such as histograms, scatterplots, and bar charts
  • Customize and enhance ggplot2 visualizations
Participate in a peer discussion group
Participate in a peer discussion group to share your knowledge, learn from others, and get feedback on your data visualizations.
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  • Join a peer discussion group focused on data visualization.
  • Participate regularly in discussions and share your insights.
  • Provide feedback and critique to other group members.
Read 'Data Science for Business'
Gain foundational knowledge of data science concepts and their application in business contexts.
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  • Read chapters 1-3 to understand the basics of data science
  • Complete the exercises in chapter 2 to practice data manipulation
  • Read chapter 4 to learn about data visualization techniques
Present and discuss data visualizations with peers
Engage in peer-to-peer learning by presenting and discussing your data visualizations, gaining valuable feedback and insights from others.
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  • Prepare a brief presentation on your data visualization
  • Present your visualization to a group of peers
  • Lead a discussion on the visualization's effectiveness and potential improvements
Practice creating data visualizations in R
Practice creating data visualizations in R to reinforce your understanding of the techniques and tools covered in the course.
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  • Load a dataset into R.
  • Create a scatter plot of two variables.
  • Create a bar chart of a categorical variable.
  • Create a histogram of a continuous variable.
Create a scatter plot using ggplot2
Strengthen your data visualization skills by practicing with a specific technique.
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  • Load a dataset into R
  • Use the ggplot() function to create a scatter plot
  • Add labels, title, and axes to the plot
Follow a tutorial on advanced data visualization techniques
Follow a tutorial on advanced data visualization techniques to expand your knowledge and skills beyond the basics covered in the course.
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  • Find a tutorial on a specific advanced data visualization technique.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial to create a data visualization.
  • Interpret and analyze the data visualization.
Attend a workshop on data visualization
Gain hands-on experience and learn best practices from industry experts.
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  • Identify and register for a relevant workshop
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions
  • Apply the techniques learned to your own projects
Participate in a data visualization competition
Challenge yourself to solve real-world data visualization problems and showcase your skills.
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  • Identify and register for a suitable competition
  • Gather and explore the provided dataset
  • Develop and refine your data visualization solutions
  • Submit your visualizations and compete with others
Create data visualizations for real-world datasets
Apply your skills to create meaningful visualizations for real-world datasets, helping you solidify your understanding and develop practical expertise.
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  • Find interesting datasets online or use provided datasets
  • Explore and analyze the data to identify key insights
  • Design and create data visualizations to communicate these insights
Contribute to an open-source data visualization project
Contribute to an open-source data visualization project to gain experience working on real-world data visualization projects and to give back to the community.
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  • Find an open-source data visualization project to contribute to.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Implement your fix or feature and submit a pull request.
Create a data visualization dashboard
Create a data visualization dashboard to demonstrate your ability to communicate insights from data effectively.
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  • Identify a dataset and a set of questions to answer.
  • Create a storyboard for your dashboard.
  • Develop and refine your data visualizations.
  • Assemble your dashboard and write a narrative.
Develop a data visualization dashboard for a business scenario
Apply your data visualization skills to create a practical tool for business decision-making.
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  • Define the business use case and data requirements
  • Design the dashboard layout and select appropriate visualizations
  • Implement the dashboard using R and ggplot2
  • Validate the dashboard with stakeholders and gather feedback
Develop a data visualization dashboard
Create a comprehensive data visualization dashboard that effectively communicates key insights from a dataset, showcasing your ability to present data in an engaging and informative way.
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  • Choose a dataset and identify the key insights you want to communicate
  • Design the layout and structure of the dashboard
  • Develop interactive visualizations using ggplot2 and R Shiny
  • Test and refine the dashboard for usability and effectiveness
Participate as a mentor in a data science community
Reinforce your understanding by helping others learn and apply data science concepts.
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  • Join a data science community or forum
  • Offer to help others with questions or challenges
  • Share your knowledge and experiences to support their learning

Career center

Learners who complete Data Visualization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Data Analyst.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use their knowledge of data analysis and visualization to extract meaningful insights from large datasets. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Data Scientist.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of businesses. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Business Analyst.
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Statistician.
Research Analyst
Research Analysts use data to identify trends and make predictions. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Research Analyst.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use data to analyze the financial performance of companies and make investment recommendations. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Financial Analyst.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as an Operations Research Analyst.
Marketing Analyst
Marketing Analysts use data to understand consumer behavior and develop marketing campaigns. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Marketing Analyst.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers create user interfaces for websites and other digital products. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as an Interaction Designer.
User Experience Researcher
User Experience Researchers use data to understand how users interact with products and services. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a User Experience Researcher.
Information Architect
Information Architects design and organize websites and other digital products. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as an Information Architect.
Data Visualization Specialist
Data Visualization Specialists create visual representations of data. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course would be a great way to learn the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course will be essential for success as a Data Visualization Specialist.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course may be useful for learning the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course may be helpful for success as a Software Engineer.
Web Developer
Web Developers create and maintain websites. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course may be useful for learning the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course may be helpful for success as a Web Developer.
Graphic designer
Graphic Designers create visual content for websites, print, and other media. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and retail. This course may be useful for learning the basics of data visualization and how to use the R programming language to analyze data. The skills you learn in this course may be helpful for success as a Graphic Designer.

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Data Visualization.
This classic book on data visualization provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and techniques of effective data visualization. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create clear and informative visualizations.
Comprehensive guide to the ggplot2 package, which is one of the most popular data visualization libraries in R. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating a wide variety of visualizations, from simple plots to complex dashboards.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of information visualization. It covers the different theories and techniques used to create effective visualizations, as well as how to evaluate the effectiveness of visualizations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design principles and best practices for data visualization.
Provides a comprehensive guide to creating interactive data visualizations for the web. It covers the different types of interactive visualizations, as well as how to use them effectively to engage users.
This practical guide focuses on creating effective data visualizations using common software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Tableau.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of data visualization. It covers the different types of charts and graphs, as well as how to use them effectively to communicate data.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to R, a programming language that is widely used for data science. It covers the basics of R, as well as more advanced topics such as data visualization, machine learning, and statistical modeling.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of visual communication. It covers the different elements of visual design, as well as how to use them effectively to create clear and informative visualizations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of data visualization. It covers the different theories and techniques used to create effective visualizations, as well as how to evaluate the effectiveness of visualizations.
Provides a collection of essays on data visualization. It covers a wide range of topics, from the history of data visualization to the latest trends in the field.
Provides practical guidance on how to create effective data visualizations. It covers the different types of charts and graphs, as well as how to use them effectively to communicate data.
Provides practical guidance on how to choose the right chart for every data story. It covers the different types of charts and graphs, as well as how to use them effectively to communicate data.

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