P SC 5924: Data Visualization

Fall 2024

Instructor: Joe Ripberger
Office: 5 Partners Place, Suite 2300
Office Hours: By Appointment
Time and Location: W 1:00pm - 3:40pm, 5 Partners Place, Suite 2300

Course Details

Description

Data visualization is the art and science of transforming data into informative and compelling graphics. In this course, students will learn to design and create publication-quality visualizations, mastering both the aesthetics and functionality required for effective communication. The curriculum covers the scientific foundations of information visualization, emphasizing principles such as color theory, visual perception, and graphical integrity. Using R, students will gain hands-on experience in creating a wide variety of visualizations, from basic charts to complex, interactive graphics. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to convey complex data insights clearly and persuasively through visual means.

Format

This course will use a flipped instructional strategy. Instead of traditional lectures, students will complete assigned readings at home and engage in live problem-solving, discussions, and hands-on activities during class. This approach aims to maximize class time for applying concepts and enhancing understanding through interactive learning.

Management

Canvas will be used for course management and support. Course documents, assignments, class announcements, and grades will be posted there. Note, however, that grades found on Canvas are unofficial; official grades are those that the instructors keep. Every effort will be made to post grades correctly, but the instructors reserve the right to correct clerical errors. Please monitor Canvas for announcements.

Textbooks

This course will use a combination of materials from the following books, chosen for their widespread use and free availability.

Additional References

There are many fantastic books on data visualization. Here are a few others that are highly recommended.

  • Bertin, J. Semiology of Graphics: Diagrams, Networks, Maps. (Esri Press, 2010).
  • Cairo, A. The Functional Art: An Introduction to Information Graphics and Visualization. (New Riders, 2012).
  • Cleveland, W. S. Visualizing Data. (Hobart Pr, 1993).
  • Knaflic, C. N. Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals. (Wiley, 2015).
  • Munzner, T. Visualization Analysis and Design. (A K Peters/CRC Press, 2014).
  • Schwabish, J. Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks. (Columbia University Press, 2021).
  • Tufte, E. R. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd Ed. (Graphics Pr, 1997).
  • Ware, C. Information Visualization: Perception for Design. (Morgan Kaufmann, 2020).
  • Yau, N. Visualize This: The FlowingData Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics. (Wiley, 2024).

R Resources

R Project, Posit, Posit Cheatsheets, Google’s R Style Guide, Advanced R, Tidyverse Style Guide, Posit Recipes.

Data Viz Resources

From Data to Viz, R Graph Gallery, Data Visualisation Catalogue, FlowingData, r/dataisbeautiful, Data Visualization Weekly.

DataCamp

Students enrolled in this course will receive free access to DataCamp, an interactive online learning platform offering courses in data science and analytics. DataCamp helps users develop skills in programming languages like Python, R, and SQL. For those who need it, the following courses provide an excellent introduction to R, the Tidyverse, and ggplot2:

Artificial Intelligence

Students are encouraged to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Github Copilot to assist with coding and editing assignments. Use of these tools must be properly acknowledged and cited. Students are responsible for evaluating the validity and applicability of any AI output they submit and bear the ultimate responsibility. Violations of this policy will be regarded as academic misconduct.

“Good, Ugly, Bad, Wrong” (Gub-Wuh) Assignments

In “Good, Ugly, Bad, Wrong” (Gub-Wuh) assignments, students will analyze and categorize graphics based on the week’s readings, aiming to develop a critical eye for visual communication. Students will find a graphic relevant to the week’s topic and evaluate it as either Good (effectively communicates its message and follows best practices), Ugly (functional but aesthetically displeasing), Bad (misleading or unclear), or Wrong (contains incorrect information). They will use concepts and examples from the readings to support their evaluations, explaining their categorization in detail. The graphic and written analysis will be compiled into a document or presentation, which students will then present in class, discussing their rationale and engaging with peer feedback.

Research Practicum

Students will co-design and implement a data visualization project, involving a literature review, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and the effective communication of research findings through advanced visualization techniques.

Grades

  • Good, Ugly, Bad, Wrong Assignments - 35%
  • Research Practicum - 35%
  • Participation - 30%

Auditing

Students that audit this course are required to read the assigned material, participate in class discussions, complete all assignments, and participate in the research practicum.

University Policies

Mental Health Support Services

Support is available for any student experiencing mental health issues that are impacting their academic success. Students can either been seen at the University Counseling Center (UCC) located on the second floor of Goddard Health Center or receive 24/7/365 crisis support from a licensed mental health provider through TELUS Health. To schedule an appointment or receive more information about mental health resources at OU please call the UCC at 405-325-2911 or visit University Counseling Center. The UCC is located at 620 Elm Ave., Room 201, Norman, OK 73019.

Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement

The University of Oklahoma faculty are committed to creating a safe learning environment for all members of our community, free from gender and sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in accordance with Title IX. There are resources available to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you have (or someone you know has) experienced any form of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence and wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or University Counseling Center (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 405-325-2911).

Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, and because of our Title IX obligations, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in: class discussion, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails and during Student/Office Hours. You may also choose to report directly to the Institutional Equity Office. After a report is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to provide resources, support, and information and the reported information will remain private. For more information regarding the University’s Title IX Grievance procedures, reporting, or support measures, please visit Institutional Equity Office at 405-325-3546.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full educational participation for students with disabilities. If you have already established reasonable accommodations with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), please submit your semester accommodation request through the ADRC as soon as possible and contact me privately, so that we have adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations.

If you have not yet established services through ADRC, but have a documented disability and require accommodations, please complete ADRC’s pre-registration form to begin the registration process. ADRC facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations for students at OU. For more information on ADRC registration procedures, please review their Register with the ADRC web page. You may also contact them at (405)325-3852 or adrc@ou.edu, or visit www.ou.edu/adrc for more information.

Note: disabilities may include, but are not limited to, mental health, chronic health, physical, vision, hearing, learning and attention disabilities, pregnancy-related. ADRC can also support students experiencing temporary medical conditions.

Religious Observance

It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety. Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather.

  1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances.
  2. Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
  3. Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
  4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up
  5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.

The University of Oklahoma Active Threat Guidance

The University of Oklahoma embraces a Run, Hide, Fight strategy for active threats on campus. This strategy is well known, widely accepted, and proven to save lives. To receive emergency campus alerts, be sure to update your contact information and preferences in the account settings section at one.ou.edu.

  • RUN: Running away from the threat is usually the best option. If it is safe to run, run as far away from the threat as possible. Call 911 when you are in a safe location and let them know from which OU campus you’re calling from and location of active threat.
  • HIDE: If running is not practical, the next best option is to hide. Lock and barricade all doors; turn of all lights; turn down your phone’s volume; search for improvised weapons; hide behind solid objects and walls; and hide yourself completely and stay quiet. Remain in place until law enforcement arrives. Be patient and remain hidden.
  • FIGHT: If you are unable to run or hide, the last best option is to fight. Have one or more improvised weapons with you and be prepared to attack. Attack them when they are least expecting it and hit them where it hurts most: the face (specifically eyes, nose, and ears), the throat, the diaphragm (solar plexus), and the groin. Please save OUPD’s contact information in your phone.

NORMAN campus: For non-emergencies call (405) 325-1717. For emergencies call (405) 325-1911 or dial 911. TULSA campus: For non-emergencies call (918) 660-3900. For emergencies call (918) 660-3333 or dial 911.

Fire Alarm/General Emergency

If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:

  1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators.
  2. KNOW at least two building exits
  3. ASSIST those that may need help
  4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area
  5. ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues.
  6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)

Foundations

Common Plots and Charts

Next steps