Visualization Online tools Assignment
- The selected graph is the best option for representing this data
- All numbers double-checked
- Spell check
- Headline/title
- Correct units of measurement
- Description of what the x- and y-axis represent
- Y-axis starts at 0 (If not: Is it clearly shown? Does the editor agree?)
- Conscious choice of colours (explained on request)
- Source
- Instructions for use (if the graph is interactive)
- Context or explanation (if necessary)
- Byline
- Accessibility (contrast, caption for screen readers, attached table etc) (explained on request)
- Understandable for someone who sees the visualization for the first time (show it to someone outside the newsroom)
- The visualization checked on a mobile device
Assignment 1
Datawrapper
a)
This visualization shows the number of operating nuclear reactors worldwide from 1954 to 2023. X-axis is the year and y-axis is the numerical number of operating nuclear reactors. I chose to use a red line graph so that it is very clear and conspicuous and easier to read. I chose to fill in the area under the line graph so that it would be clearer and more noticeable how many there are. I also chose to show the specific values and highlight them with circles for clarity.
b)
This visualization shows the top 10 countries in terms of the number of operating nuclear power reactors.X-axis is the country and y-axis is the number of operating nuclear power reactors. I chose to use a colored column chart so that it is very clear and conspicuous and easier to read. I downloaded the relevant data from the website and then organized the data in excel and imported it. I used different colors to represent different countries. This way the reader can see the differences in each country more clearly, and I chose to arrange them from high to low so that the value changes are clearer. I still chose the mouse hover function so that it can be more interactive.
c)
- Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
- Yes, I followed each step.
- Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colours using the tool?
- I think it's very simple and easy to use.
- Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
- I think it's not very easy if you are dealing with a lot of data.
- Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
- Very flexible. I can make all the changes I need.
- Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
- It ensures compatibility of charts with screen readers, providing a high level of accessibility. It supports the addition of alt text and descriptions to meet the needs of visually impaired users. These features make data visualization highly accessible. I think this one is great.
- Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
- It looks great on my phone and I haven't had any issues viewing or interacting with the charts.
Assignment 2
Flourish
a)
b)
- Have you followed the checklist for visualizations (every step)?
- Yes, I followed and checked each step equally.
- Colours: How easy or difficult is changing colours using the tool?
- I found it very easy and the color options provided are nice and appropriate.
- Text/Labels: How easy or difficult is it to work with text and labels in the tool?
- I found it very easy and convenient.
- Flexibility: How flexible are the tools? Can you make the changes you need?
- Very flexible. I did everything I wanted to do in the process of using it.
- Accessibility: What are the different accessibility options provided by the tools?
- It offers accessibility as well, which I found useful.
- Smartphone: How do the charts appear on your smartphone? Have you faced any issues while accessing them?
- It displays well on my phone and I have not experienced any issues viewing and interacting with the charts.
Assignment 3
Comparison
- In what context do you think Datawrapper is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
- I think Datawrapper is great for creating simple, professional charts, maps and tables for data journalism. It's simple to use and produces clean, beautiful charts that are perfect for presenting data directly. I can just copy the data and it generates the charts I want. But when I need to do a little more complex interactive effects, like dynamic charts with animation, like animated 3d maps, it's not the best choice. Because the functionality is rather basic, the flexibility is limited. It can only do some simple map visualizations.
- What are the main benefits of using Datawrapper?
- The main benefits of using Datawrapper include its easy-to-understand and user-friendly interface that allows even beginners to quickly create professional, publishable visualizations. Its responsive design adapts to different screen sizes, giving us a great experience across devices. In addition, it has simple embedding and sharing options that allow us to share our charts without any problems. I think it is ideal for simple data visualization needs.
- In what context do you think Flourish is the best tool, and why? When would you not use it?
- I think Flourish is great for interactive storytelling and for complex visualizations such as animated charts or multi-layered maps. It's useful when we want to engage readers with dynamic, data-driven content. However, I wouldn't choose it when visualizing simple data. This is because it is not ideal for simpler graphs or when a quick turnaround is required, as creating interactivity may take more time. It is relatively a bit complicated to manipulate.
- What are the main benefits of using Flourish?
- The main advantage of Flourish is the ability to create very interactive and engaging visualizations, which are particularly suitable for telling stories or presenting complex data. It offers many templates, such as animated charts, 3D models and multi-layer maps, and can be adapted as needed. Even if you don't know how to program, it's easy to get started. These interactive features make the data content more engaging.
- Which of the tools do you personally prefer so far?
- Personally, I prefer Flourish because it's better in terms of interactivity and visual impact, and it's especially suited to storytelling journalism. While it may take longer to produce, the end result can be more engaging for the audience. But I need to put in more time and effort to learn how to use it well. If I need to generate simple but professional charts quickly, I would also choose Datawrapper because it is efficient and easy to use. So both I would use together as needed.