Choosing a Chart
It is important to be familiar with your data before deciding on which chart to use to represent it. Be sure to question your data: what kind of data is this? what is interesting about this data? am I missing any data that might result in an inaccurate chart?
Below are some resources to help your determine the chart that might best fit your data.
Citation: Designing a visualization, Duke University Libraries
Tools to create visualizations
- Microsoft ExcelMembers of the Rollins community have access to Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Excel. You can download the applications by following the directions on the link.
- NVivoNVivo is a qualitative data analysis program used for analyzing text and multimedia data sets. Students can access NVivo in these computer labs:
Bush PC Lab (Bush 301)
Teach Lab (Olin 225)
CSS Lab (CSS 133) - Adobe Creative CloudStudents have access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools (e.g., Photoshop, Premiere, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator) in all computer labs on campus.
Free to use tools
The tools listed below offer free public accounts. You can create your own account to design a visualization.
- Tableau PublicTableau Public is a free platform where users can publicly share and explore data visualizations online. Anyone can create visualizations using the free Public Edition. Tableau offers video tutorials to help you learn the software and access to datasets to practice. There is a active online Tableau community for users connect with.
- ArcGIS OnlineArcGIS is a mapping tool where users can create interactive maps and share them. An ArcGIS public account is a free account for personal, noncommercial use. The Online version has limits on usage but users can upload their own data to create maps or use the maps provided to research topics of interest.
- DatawrapperDatawrapper is a tool you can use to create and show your data in beautiful charts and maps. The free account allows you to create and publish unlimited charts, maps & tables, PNG export and collaborate with teams
- VoyantVoyant is an open source product. It is a web-based text reading and analysis environment. Voyant is designed to facilitate reading and interpretive practices for digital humanities students and scholars as well as for the general public.
- Google Data StudioGoogle has their own data visualization program, Data Studio, that’s free, and of the quality you’d expect from Google. Also, since it’s Google, all their properties (AdWords, YouTube) can connect with Data Studio.
Contact Professor Montgomery
Susan Montgomery
Contact:
Office #241
Drop-In Office Hours:
Monday, 2 PM - 4 PM
Tuesday, 2 PM - 4 PM
Wednesday, 2 PM - 4 PM
Drop-In Office Hours:
Monday, 2 PM - 4 PM
Tuesday, 2 PM - 4 PM
Wednesday, 2 PM - 4 PM
407-646-2295
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