What is Data Visualization?
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 – Tableau.
SAGE Research Methods Online is an excellent source of definitions and use case scenarios for various data visualization techniques and tools, with a focus on their use in an academic context.
According to SAGE, data visualization serves two main purposes: presenting the known to interested audiences and secondly, discovering the unknown when both presenter and the public are interested in discovering previously unknown aspects embedded in a given data collection.
When deciding on your approach to data visualization, please consider the following questions:
What is the story or the message you are trying to present? Who is the audience? What type of data will you work with? What is the best format for your needs? What tools are available to you?