DataBasic.io

DataBasic is a suite of easy-to-use web tools for beginners to explore different sets of data. It is a project of the Engagement Lab at Emerson College and the MIT Center for Civic Media. 


Word Counter tells you the most used words and phrases in a document. It helps you quantitatively summarize your text so you can investigate how words are used.

WTF CSV gives you a quick overview of a CSV file you upload. 

SameDiff lets you compare two documents to see how they are similar and different. 

Connect the Dots shows you how your data is connected by analyzing it as a network. 

Learning Activities

WordCounter Activity Guide: Use WordCounter to analyze a musician’s lyrics and sketch a story with their words. Sketching a data story helps participants build their data literacy by finding and drawing a story about what words show up in famous musicians’ lyrics.

WTFcsv Activity Guide: Use WTFcsv to identify some questions to ask your spreadsheet. This hands-on activity helps participants build their data literacy while looking at some fun datasets and brainstorming questions you can ask about them.

SameDiff Activity Guide: Write Your Own Song Use SameDiff to analyze the lyrical styles of two musicians and invent a duet for them.


How to Use DataBasic