DATA VISUALIZATION

 

Definition

Data visualization is a graphic representation of data used to communicate information clearly and efficiently through graphical means by deploying various tools and methods. It uses information graphics, statistical graphics such as plots, dots and charts as well as data analytics to present sparse and complex data sets.

 

The Representation

In data visualization, numerical data or even character strings may be encoded using visual objects such as dots, lines, or bars, denoted by color, size, shape, thickness, density, and links without or with one or more axes to:

☀ visually communicate a quantitative message in their interconnectivities
☀ meaningfully convey information at a single instance or over a period of time
☀ptimizes visual communication and knowledge about datasets

 

Benefits

☀ Discloses data at several levels of details: from macroscopic to microscopic views
☀ Provides concise representationplotperception of information
☀ Provides categorization of data visually
☀ Provides comparative studies of data @ one glance
☀ Provides a comprehensive measurable interrelationship of data
☀ Presents information in a structured manner
☀ Creates user awareness
☀ Stimulates viewer engagement
☀ Provides Interaction between user and data in real time

 

Categories of Data Visualization Graphs

There are five main categories of Data Visualization Graphs

Temporal

One Dimensional Plots

      ☀ Scatter plot
      ☀ Polar area diagram
      ☀ Time series sequence
      ☀ Timelines Line graph

       

Multidimensional

2 or more variables  to create a 3D data graphs

      ☀ Scatter plot
      ☀ Pie chart
      ☀ Bubble chart
      ☀ Venn diagram
      ☀ Voronoi Diagram
      ☀ Stacked bar graph
      ☀ Histogram

 

Hierarchical

A single origin, displays cluster information

      ☀ Tree diagram
      ☀ Ring chart
      ☀ Sunburst diagram

 

Geospatial:

Physical locations, overlay on maps with different data points

      ☀ Flow map
      ☀ Sankey diagram
      ☀ Density map
      ☀ Cartogram
      ☀ Choropleth
      ☀ Heat map

 

Network

Display relationships between datasets without words

      ☀ Word cloud
      ☀ Hive plot
      ☀ Alluvial diagram
      ☀ Matrix chart
      ☀ Chord diagram
      ☀ Node-link diagram
        - Cladogram
        - Dendrogram
        - Force-Directed Graph

       

Skills, Tools & Methods

With a huge arsenal of maps, graphs, and charts tools available, there is the great opportunity to create device and/or platform agnostic graphs that can pan, zoom and resize in static state or interactively. Be it commercially available software or open source, it is the science of numbers that seeks to: