Data Visualisation: From Exploration to Presentation (online)

Researchers need to visualise their data. Graphs and charts enable researchers to better explore and understand the structure of their data. Good visualisations also make it easier to communicate the data stories people are trying to tell. Moreover, creating good plots helps people better understand graphs in scholarly articles, business presentations and everyday media channels. 

This course is orientated towards researchers who want to develop their data visualisation skills. It will be useful for people new to quantitative methods or social survey research. It will also serve as a valuable refresher for those with prior experience.

Most of the course will be focused on foundational concepts in data visualisation, providing a substantive introduction to key principles and best practices. The course will also include a live demonstration of creating various graphs using the Stata statistical software package. Attendees will also have the option to bring their own data to discuss possible ways to visualise it and troubleshoot any issues they have.

Live demonstrations will involve using Stata 18, participants have the option to follow along if they wish but there is no expectation for them to use the software.

Target audience: Researchers who want to improve their knowledge and skill in data visualisation. 

Course Timings: 10:00-16:00

Course Description

Programme:

• 10:00 am Welcome and Introduction (live online)
• 10:10 am Part 1 – Importance of data visualisation 
• 11:00 pm Short Break
• 11:15 am Part 2 – Exploring data structure and understanding your data
• 12:00 pm Lunch Break
• 1:00 pm Part 3 – Best practices for presentation and common pitfalls
• 2:00 pm Short Break
• 2:15 pm Part 4 – Developing visualisation skills with Stata (live demonstration)
• 3:00 pm Short Break
• 3:15 pm Data Viz Q&A & Conclusion – opportunity to ask questions about visualising your own data.
• 4:00 pm Depart

---

This workshop is a taster session. It will introduce the following ideas and concepts in data visualisation

• Using graphs to explore variables across different levels of measurement.
• Best practices for creating clear and honest representations of data.
• Avoiding common pitfalls – inappropriate scales and sizes.
• Refining graphs for presentation.
• Reproducibility and efficient workflow. 

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to 

• Understand how to use data visualisation to better understand your data structure.
• Have a practical sense for why some graphs and figures work well, while others may fail to inform or actively mislead.
• Be introduced to creating and refining graphs for effective presentation in a reproducible way using Stata software.