About
STAT 198, Fall 2024: Principles of Data Visualization
This is the website for the Fall-2024 DeCal course Principles of Data Visualization with R.
Motivation
Data visualization is an ever-present element for anyone who works with data, whether in business, science, education, politics, or any other field.
As data visualization expert Donna Wong says:
“The ability to create effective charts and graphs has become almost as indispensable as good writing.”
The good news is that, nowadays, making graphics, plots, diagrams, charts, etc has become incredibly easy. However, data visualization is not just about knowing how to use tools or software to produce a graphic. Quoting Donna Wong again:
“With computer technology, anyone can create graphics, but few of us know how to do it well.”
Data visualization is also about having a critical mindset, and acquiring the training not just to produce effective graphics, but also to learn how to assess a visual display of data.
To us, data visualization entails both the production as well as the consumption of graphics. Those of us who deal with data, sooner or later have to produce charts and graphs, and we have to be prepared to do this task effectively. Likewise, some of us will have to create graphics on a constant basis, some periodically, and some very rarely. However, all of us will be consuming visual displays of data. Therefore, we also need to be able to critically assess a graphic, and also know how to do it well.
In summary, our aim is to provide students the fundamental principles to:
Produce effective graphics, and
Assess the effectiveness of a visual display of data.