Big Data in Small Slices: Data Visualization for Communicators

Description

This book offers an engaging and accessible introduction to data visualization for communicators, covering everything from data collection and analysis to the creation of effective data visuals. 　 Straying from the typical "how to visualize data" genre often written for technical audiences, Big Data in Small Slices offers those new to data gathering and visualization the opportunity to better understand data itself. Using the concept of the "data backstory," each chapter features discussions with experts, from marine scientists to pediatricians and city government officials, who produce datasets in their daily work. The reader is guided through the process of designing effective visualizations based on their data, delving into how datasets are produced and vetted, and how to assess their weaknesses and strengths, ultimately offering readers the knowledge needed to produce their own effective data visuals. 　 This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in data visualization and storytelling, from journalism and communications students to public relations professionals. A detailed accompanying website features additional material for readers, including links to all the original datasets used in the text, at www.bigdatainsmallslices.com Cover Half Title Endorsement Title Page Copyright Page Table of contents Introduction Big Data Book Structure 1 The Canary in the Coal Mine Surfing Into Science CO2 and pH The Lives of Corals Corals Are Animals Broadcast Mating Symbionts Threats Beyond Losing Reef Habitat Bleaching Ocean Acidification Why It Matters Economically Economics—TEEB Two Hundred Days on Heron The Free Ocean CO2 Enrichment System (FOCE) Predictions for 2100 FOCE Setup and Challenges The Reef Gets a Physical Cleaning, Wrangling, and Munging Datasets Visual Exploration Dimension Ranges Carbon Dioxide (CO2) pH Range Aragonite Saturation (Ar) Date and Time Graphing for Patterns CO2 Pattern pH Pattern Correlation CO2 and pH Correlation Aragonite and pH Correlation Corals Fight Back Your Reef on Acid Data Visualization Story Thoughts for Journalism Students Notes 2 Sea of Butterflies Some Damage is Done The Ocean Acidification Study Shell Quality Data Exploration Shell Quality Data Exploration Exploring Visually Chart Structures Sinking Speeds Data Cleaning Data Visualization Story Thoughts for Journalism Students Notes 3 Parasites and Armed Rebels Mac Otten Malaria and its Vector Agent The Mosquito as Vector Rebel Eruption and Roaming Health-Care Facilities The Project Process Trucks, Roads, and Rebels The Data Data Exploration The Spreadsheets Data Enhancement Using Code Data Visualization Medicines, Mosquito Nets, and Diagnostic Tests Mosquito Nets Project End Story Thoughts for Journalism Students 4 Open City, Open Data From Dublin to Silicon Valley Interview City Hall Stereotypes Are Just Stereotypes Public Data Acquisition Open Data Data Exploration and Cleaning Data Visualization Responsive Design Trees, Trees, and More Trees Cleaning Trees Palo Alto Open Data Portal Story Thoughts for Journalism Students Notes Index