LIS 5673 - Introduction to Information Visualization

The ultimate objective of this course was to equip us with the necessary skills to proficiently and effectively present data within an information setting utilizing technological software (OU SLO 4 - Technology). For my chosen assignment, my partner Angela Brown and I collaborated on a presentation that offered comprehensive insights into the comparative educational quality of the top 10 universities in the United States, based on the Times Higher Education University Rankings. Our analysis included comparisons of the universities' world rankings, scores across various metrics (citation, research, teaching, and overall), as well as demographic rankings (gender and international). By examining the visualizations we crafted from the data, we were able to establish connections between the universities and their rankings in each category. This experience provided us with the essential skills not only to generate visual representations of data but also to deliver effective presentations (Personal Goal 1.2).

Analysis

For this assignment, I attempted to use two visualization technologies that were entirely new to me prior to this course: Tableau and Canva. We had been using Tableau all semester and Canva was my personal presentation choice but I enjoyed using both due to the fact that they are technologies that any student can use (Personal Goal 3.1 & 3.3). Embracing unfamiliar technology inevitably presents its own set of challenges, yet my partner and I navigated these hurdles by leveraging each other's strengths and maintaining effective communication to achieve our goal of comparing the top 10 universities in the United States.

One of the key competencies showcased in this assignment is the ability to craft visualizations that are impactful without overwhelming the audience. Through the course, we learned that adding more information to a visualization does not necessarily enhance its effectiveness. In fact, information overload can significantly diminish the impact of data presented in a visualization. So, we focused on striking a balance and ensuring that our visualizations conveyed the necessary insights without overwhelming the viewer. Additionally, we delved into the importance of color selection in data visualization creation. We discovered that choosing colors that contrast yet complement each other is essential, as improper color choices can render visualizations inaccessible to individuals with visual impairments (OU SLO 1 - Core Knowledge) (ALA Competency 5 - Reference and User Services). This realization emphasized the significance of thoughtful design considerations in creating inclusive and effective data visualizations.

Reflection

The skills gained throughout this course, all which are displayed in the creation of this project, are invaluable assets that I see myself utilizing throughout my entire career. While the ability to clean raw data, a skill I acquired in both Introduction to and Advanced Data Analytics, is crucial, its utility is only truly realized when others can fully comprehend it. Transforming raw data into visually appealing and easily accessible visualizations signifies that I will have the capability to present data findings effectively to various audiences. This includes individuals familiar with the dataset as well as those who may have no prior knowledge of it. As such, the proficiency gained in data visualization ensures that I can convey complex information clearly and compellingly, facilitating informed decision-making processes and enhancing communication across diverse groups if necessary.