Objectivity in Data Visualization from Pluralsight

The ability to interpret the truth, accuracy, and objectivity in data visualizations is incredibly important, whether you are creating your own visualizations or are interpreting those you see. This course will teach you these skills.

We live in a period of time where we can capture and process unbelievable amounts of data. In this course, Objectivity in Data Visualization, you'll gain the ability to evaluate the truth, accuracy, and objectivity of data and visualizations both for creating visualizations and for interpreting those created by others. First, you’ll learn about objectivity in data – the meaning of data and the impact of data selection on objectivity. Next, you’ll examine objectivity in visual elements – how the visual elements of a chart or graphic can influence objectivity or distort the truth. Finally, you’ll explore interpretation and storytelling – where you’ll discover that accurate data and carefully crafted visuals are not enough on their own to tell an objective story. These skills are especially important today as we are constantly bombarded with data and visualizations that claim to tell objective truth but are, in fact, full of lies, whether intentional or unintentional. By the end of the course, you'll be able to detect the lies and hidden biases in visualizations you see and will be able to create visualizations that you can stand behind with confidence.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

The Art of Lying

Objectivity in Data

Objectivity in Visual Elements

Interpretation and Storytelling

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches skills, knowledge, and tools that are highly relevant to industry

Taught by Dan Appleman, who is recognized for their work in data visualization

Examines objectivity in data visualization, which is highly relevant to creating accurate and reliable data visualizations

Develops skills in interpreting the truth, accuracy, and objectivity in data visualizations, which are core skills for data scientists and analysts

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 Objectivity in Data Visualization with these activities:

Tutorial on data visualization best practices

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Best practices for data visualization will provide additional context and insight to the course contents.

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Find a tutorial on data visualization best practices
Watch the tutorial
Apply the best practices to your own visualizations

Plot data on a Scatterplot

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Getting up to speed on scatterplots will help you when the course covers interpreting them.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Review the concept of a Scatterplot
Plot data points on graph paper
Use software to plot data

Participate in a peer review of data visualizations

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Receiving peer feedback will reinforce your understanding and give you additional insight.

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Find a peer review group
Share your data visualizations with the group
Provide feedback on other visualizations
Incorporate feedback into your own visualizations

Five other activities

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Create a visualization of your daily calorie intake

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Creating a visual representation of your data will reinforce your objectivity learning.

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Track your daily calorie intake
Choose a visualization method
Create the visualization
Interpret the visualization

Attend a data visualization conference or workshop

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Attending events will provide supplement to the course material and additional networking opportunities.

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Find a data visualization conference or workshop
Register for the event
Attend the event
Network with other attendees

Volunteer for a data visualization project

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Volunteering on a data visualization project will provide you with hands-on experience and insights.

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Find a data visualization project to volunteer for
Contact the project organizer
Volunteer your time and skills

Analyze and interpret data visualizations

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Practice interpreting visualizations to better apply the course material

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Find data visualizations online
Describe the visualization
Identify biases or inaccuracies
Come to a conclusion

Participate in a data visualization competition

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Participating in a data visualization competition will challenge you to apply your skills and knowledge.

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Find a data visualization competition
Register for the competition
Create a data visualization
Submit your visualization to the competition

Career center

Learners who complete Objectivity in Data Visualization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Visualization Analyst

Data Visualization Analysts help businesses tell stories with data by visualizing complex data sets in presentations, reports, and dashboards. In this role, you may work with a variety of stakeholders, including executives and marketing professionals, who rely on your ability to convey information clearly and concisely. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can be easily understood by a variety of audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Analyst

Information Architect

Information Architects design and organize websites and other digital products. They work with users to understand their needs and create user-friendly interfaces. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present information in a clear and concise way. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help users find the information they need.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and evaluate digital products. They work with users to understand their needs and create user-friendly interfaces. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present information in a clear and concise way. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help users have a better experience with your products.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses understand their operations and make better decisions. They work with stakeholders to identify business needs and develop solutions. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to communicate your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to solve business problems and make informed decisions. They work with data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and surveys. In this role, you may use statistical techniques to analyze data and identify trends. This course will provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the truth, accuracy, and objectivity of data, which is essential for making sound business decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain computer software. They work with users to understand their needs and create software that meets those needs. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present information in a clear and concise way. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help users understand your software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts help businesses make investment decisions. They work with data from a variety of sources, including financial statements, market research, and economic data. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better investment decisions.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to solve business problems. They work with data from a variety of sources, including sales data, production data, and customer data. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work with data from a variety of sources, including surveys, experiments, and clinical trials. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help stakeholders make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Marketing Analyst

Marketing Analysts help businesses understand their customers and develop marketing campaigns. They work with data from a variety of sources, including surveys, interviews, and social media. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better marketing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with teams of engineers, designers, and marketers to bring products to market. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present information about your product to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help you make better decisions about your product.

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Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help businesses make better decisions. They work with data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and social media. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They work with data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and social media. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course may provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain and manage databases. They work with data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and social media. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course may provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software. They work with data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and social media. In this role, you may use data visualization techniques to present your findings to stakeholders. This course may provide you with the skills you need to create accurate and objective visualizations that can help businesses make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer