Evaluation Plan

"What affects happiness?"

For my final project, I have chosen to explore the relationship between 6 different factors and happiness scores across different countries using the World Happiness Report 2023 dataset. The primary goal is to visually analyze and compare how economic production, social support, life expectancy, freedom, absence of corruption, and generosity impact the happiness scores of different countries. I aim to make it easier to compare how each of the factors impact happiness differently, and uncover which factors affect happiness more than others. 

I plan to achieve this by using Tableau, where I will create 6 scatter plots with each country’s happiness levels in relation to each of the 6 factors. The scatter plots will each have a regression line that show the correlation between levels of happiness and the 6 factors. These scatter plots will be combined into one interactive plot, where users will be able to toggle through the scatter plot distributions and compare regression lines for each factor, and derive conclusions. 

Here are some intellectual and practical justifications for this project: 

Audience Understanding:

The target audience includes policymakers, researchers, and the general public interested in understanding the factors that influence happiness. The visualizations will be designed to be easily understandable, ensuring accessibility for a wide audience.

Data Selection and Relevance:

The dataset used includes comprehensive and relevant data on happiness scores and contributing factors from the World Happiness Report 2023. The recent dataset's breadth across 138 countries and credibility ensures robust analysis and meaningful insights.

Effective Visualization:

The project utilizes Tableau, providing an interactive and user-friendly interface for the audience. The visualizations are designed to clearly communicate the relationships between happiness scores and the six factors. The use of regression plots and combined comparison charts ensures that the audience can easily grasp the impact of each factor on happiness.

Design and Aesthetics:

The design prioritizes readability and visual appeal. Titles, labels, and color schemes are chosen to enhance clarity and engagement. The interactive elements in Tableau allow users to explore the data dynamically, further enriching the user experience.

I will evaluate my work based on whether or not the visualizations effectively communicate the intended message and can be understood independently by a broad audience. This includes whether my data is represented fairly without distortion, and if the presentation of data is accessible in terms of color and visibility. I also want to make sure that this is an interesting topic and can offer a new angle of interpreting the happiness dataset.