What is data visualization?

According to SearchBusinessAnalytics, data visualization refers to “any effort to help people understand the significance of data by placing it in a visual context” to help display “patterns, trends, and correlations,” in a way that text-based data cannot. GVSU.

Why is data visualization important?

It is vital to understand the best ways to represent your data in order to make the information more accessible to the audience. Different types of visualizations can show different aspects of your data and garner the interest of viewers. When data is displayed accurately, it becomes easier to understand and facilitates the distribution of information conveyed by the visuals. (https://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/definition/data-visualization) 

How can I visualize my data?

There are a number of resources available to help you visualize your data and many of them are linked below. Some that you may be familiar with include Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, but there are a number of other sites for different forms of visualization. It is important to know what types of visualizations are available and the benefits and drawbacks of each form. Some may be visually appealing but show less statistical information while others may contain a lot of detail but appear less pleasing to the eye. Finding the right display for your data will depend on what goals you want to achieve. 

To Learn More

• Digital Studies: Data Visualization - GVSU
• Digital Studies: Geospatial Mapping - GVSU
• Data Visualization - Cornell University Library

Websites and Blogs

• Data Visualization - Search Business Analytics