Assignment

Visualization as a process is part science and part art - you most likely have heard of "a picture is worth a thousand words". The first steps in exploring data visually are intended to provide insight and understanding of the data for the analyst, which may or may not be followed by presentation of data visually to an audience.

Data visualization is as much a tool for the benefit of the analyst as the audience, though the visualizations would likely be tailored differently for each.

This assignment has 2 parts - all should be contained in one single post

PART I: After watching the Ted video The Best Stats You've Ever Seen

Discuss your opinion on the following

• Which of the data visualizations was most powerful for you and why

• How a powerful presentation of data could affect learning and understanding.

PART II: Find an example of a misleading statistical visualization - there's unfortunately plenty online and in print. Post the link if it were found online or a screenshot of the hard copy/tv screen/etc, explain what you think the author hopes to convey, and why the visualization is misleading. This is NOT to search for the term "misleading visualization" and provide the link to the multitude of the search results available as examples. This could be found in an article you read, in one of your statements or mailings, etc.

Also think about and discuss some the following:

1. If/why you think the misleading visualization is a problem,
2. If you are able to find a visualization that tells a more accurate story,
3. if you think it Is it okay to exaggerate a visualization for effect,
4. Suggest at least two modifications that would improve the visualization,
5. What makes a good visualization.