National Forensic Sciences University
School of Law, Forensic Justice & Policy Studies
Continuous Assessment – 1
Data Modelling & Visualisation
B.Sc.LL.B. (Hons.)
Semester - 6
Topic –
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DATA VISUALISATION
Nandini Mukati
101FLBSBL2122024
WHAT IS DATA VISUALISATION ?
Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. By
using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps, data visualization tools
provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in
data. Additionally, it provides an excellent way for employees or business owners
to present data to non-technical audiences without confusion.
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DATA VISUALISATION
1. Diagram First- The first principle is perhaps the least technical but very important: before you
make a visual, prioritize the information you want to share, envision it, and
design it. Although this seems obvious, the larger point here is to focus on the
information and message first, before you engage with software that in some way
starts to limit or bias your visual tools.
2. Use the Right Effective visuals typically require good command of one or more software. In
Software-
other words, it might be unrealistic to expect complex, technical, and effective
figures if you are using a simple spreadsheet program or some other software
that is not designed to make complex, technical, and effective figures.
3. Use an Effective Geometries are the shapes and features that are often synonymous with a type
Geometry and Show of figure; for example, the bar geometry creates a bar plot. While geometries
Data-
might be the defining visual element of a figure, it can be tempting to jump
directly from a dataset to pairing it with one of a small number of well-known
geometries.
4. Colors Always The use of color in visualization can be incredibly powerful, and there is
Mean Something-
rarely a reason not to use color. Even if authors do not wish to pay for color
figures in print, most journals still permit free color figures in digital formats.
In a large study of what makes visualizations memorable, colorful
visualizations were reported as having a higher memorability score, and that
seven or more colors are best.
5. Include Uncertainty- Not only is uncertainty an inherent part of understanding most systems,
failure to include uncertainty in a visual can be misleading. There exist
two primary challenges with including uncertainty in visuals: failure to
include uncertainty and misrepresentation (or misinterpretation) of
uncertainty.
6. Panel, when Possible A particularly effective visual approach is to repeat a figure to highlight
(Small Multiples) - differences. This approach is often called small multiples, and the
technique may be referred to as panelling or faceting. The strategy behind
small multiples is that because many of the design elements are the same
—for example, the axes, axes scales, and geometry are often the same—
the differences in the data are easier to show.
7. Data and Models Raw data and summarized data are often relatively straightforward; however, a
Are Different
plotted model may require more explanation for a reader to be able to fully
Things-
reproduce the work. Certainly any model in a study should be reported in a
complete way that ensures reproducibility.
8. Simple Visuals, As important as it is to use high data-ink ratios, it is equally important to have
Detailed Captions- detailed captions that fully explain everything in the figure. Captions should
be standalone, which means that if the figure and caption were looked at
independent from the rest of the study, the major point(s) could still be
understood.
9. Consider an
It is unclear where a figure ends and an infographic begins; however, it is fair to
Infographic-
say that figures tend to be focused on representing data and models, whereas
infographics typically incorporate text, images, and other diagrammatic
elements.
10. Get an Opinion- Although there may be principles and theories about effective data visualization,
the reality is that the most effective visuals are the ones with which readers
connect. Therefore, figure authors are encouraged to seek external reviews of
their figures. So often when writing a study, the figures are quickly made, and
even if thoughtfully made they are not subject to objective, outside review.
THANK YOU
