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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOverview<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nNavigation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Data Visualization<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chart Types<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Color in Data Visualizations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Text in Data Visualizations<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSummary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Data visualization<\/strong> is the graphical representation of data and information using charts, graphs, and other visual tools to make complex data more understandable and actionable. In engineering, it is crucial for analyzing and interpreting large datasets, identifying patterns, trends, and outliers, and effectively communicating findings to stakeholders. By translating technical information into visual formats, engineers can make data-driven decisions more efficiently and identify potential issues preemptively. Data visualization enables engineers to enhance productivity, improve accuracy, and innovate solutions in complex projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Evaluate the features of an engineering graph<\/strong> and its components<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Review the different types of graphs<\/strong> available for engineering<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recognize the importance of data visualization<\/strong> in engineering<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Data Visualization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCreating effective visualizations is about more than just the data. Communicating your analysis means making careful decisions about the design of your charts and graphs to help you tell a story with the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2024\/05\/Data-Visualization-Picture.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nFor example, this bar chart shows us the information we need, but it isn’t descriptive or visually appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This chart shows the number of land animals (True, on the right) and the number of air animals (False, on the left) that were struck by aircraft in North Carolina. However, if you were looking at this for the first time, none of that would be clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We could redesign this visualization to make it better! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nChart Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhen creating a visualization you must consider how you want to represent your data graphically. There are two main considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- What type of data do you have? (categorical, numerical, textual, more than one?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is the function of chart? What story are you trying to tell with this chart? <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2024\/05\/Bar-Chart-Picture.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nBar Charts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Function<\/strong>: comparison <\/p>\n\n\n\nhow alike or different are these data?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nData Types<\/strong>: categorical, numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2024\/05\/Line-Graph-Picture.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLine Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Function<\/strong>: change\/trend <\/p>\n\n\n\nhow do these data change over time?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nData Types<\/strong>: numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2024\/05\/Choropleth-Map-Picture.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nChoropleth Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Function<\/strong>: comparison <\/p>\n\n\n\nhow alike or different are these data?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nData Types<\/strong>: spatial, numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2024\/05\/Scatter-Plot-Picture.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nScatter Plot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Function<\/strong>: relationship<\/p>\n\n\n\ndo these data change when those data change?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Navigation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Data visualization<\/strong> is the graphical representation of data and information using charts, graphs, and other visual tools to make complex data more understandable and actionable. In engineering, it is crucial for analyzing and interpreting large datasets, identifying patterns, trends, and outliers, and effectively communicating findings to stakeholders. By translating technical information into visual formats, engineers can make data-driven decisions more efficiently and identify potential issues preemptively. Data visualization enables engineers to enhance productivity, improve accuracy, and innovate solutions in complex projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating effective visualizations is about more than just the data. Communicating your analysis means making careful decisions about the design of your charts and graphs to help you tell a story with the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, this bar chart shows us the information we need, but it isn’t descriptive or visually appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This chart shows the number of land animals (True, on the right) and the number of air animals (False, on the left) that were struck by aircraft in North Carolina. However, if you were looking at this for the first time, none of that would be clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We could redesign this visualization to make it better! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n When creating a visualization you must consider how you want to represent your data graphically. There are two main considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Function<\/strong>: comparison <\/p>\n\n\n\n how alike or different are these data?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Data Types<\/strong>: categorical, numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Function<\/strong>: change\/trend <\/p>\n\n\n\n how do these data change over time?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Data Types<\/strong>: numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Function<\/strong>: comparison <\/p>\n\n\n\n how alike or different are these data?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Data Types<\/strong>: spatial, numerical<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Function<\/strong>: relationship<\/p>\n\n\n\n do these data change when those data change?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSummary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learning Outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Data Visualization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nChart Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBar Charts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLine Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nChoropleth Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nScatter Plot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu\/ncsuereseng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2025\/01\/Color-in-Data-Visualizations.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n