Foundation Skills in Data Analysis 2022

Foundation Skills in Data Analysis
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Part A: Evaluation Criteria
This section entails developing guidelines that need to be adhered to when selecting the correct
type visualization for a data set.
i. Heat maps should be used to visualize volumes of locations or events within a
geographical region. The ability of the maps to colour communicate makes them
reliance in displaying a generalized view of numeric values (Green, 2011).
ii. Heat maps are effective when there is need to draw attention to trends. The maps are
normally self-explanatory and hence effective when there is need to display
geographical trend of data (Green, 2011).
iii. The use of doughnut charts should be restricted to data with very few categories.
iv. The use of doughnut chart is effective when presenting the visualisation of a part to
whole data. The pieces of the information presented in the chart ought to add up to
100% (Odessa, 2019).
v. Pie charts should be used when the information is meant to make comparison of
various components as a percentage of the total.
vi. Combined column charts should be used when there is need to compare two or three
groups of data. The bars are drawn side by side hence allowing the user to visualize
which group of data is higher (Kelley & Donnelly, 2009).
vii. The data in a combined column chart ought to be independent of each other.
viii. Where the data in question refers to specific locations for instance business and crime
scenes maps can be used for visualisation.
ix. When the researcher needs to give a clear distribution of points within a geographical
set up maps should be used.
x. Qualitative geographical information should be presented using maps (Aparicio &
Costa, 2014).
xi. The use of a bar chart is an effective selection where the data labels are long since the
bars lie horizontally.
xii. The use of a bar graph is effective when there is need to do a comparison between
different groups of independent data sets. It can also be applicable in tracing changes
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overtime. The graphs are though only effective when the changes in question are
larger.
xiii. Grouped column charts ought to be used when comparing elements between different
categories as well as making comparisons across categories (Jansen, et al., 2015).
xiv. Stacked charts are also appropriate in presenting a part to whole relationship.
xv. To present and sort qualitative data tables can be used. The use of tables is more
relevant especially in situations where data is sorted with an intention of identifying
the underlying pattern.
xvi. Tables should be used when comparing individual values. Unlike with charts tables
can be applied to data that is comprised of multiple sets of data to compare individual
values of the set.
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Part B: Report Evaluation
The report evaluation involves selecting charts graphs and tables from a report and analysing
them based on the criteria developed in section A above. The visualisations which were
evaluated were obtained from the 2016 annual report of world health organization (World
Health Organization, 2018).
a. Heat maps
In the heat map presented below the WHO intends to display the global preparedness for the
influenza virus in terms of capital located for vaccination, manufacturing of pharmaceuticals as
well as diagnosis. The use of the heat map is deemed appropriate as it adheres to criteria (i), the
map allows the visualization of the influenza preparedness based on areas where resource
allocation is showing progress. In addition, the map is also effective as it in accordance with the
criteria (ii). The map displays the global trend of the influenza preparedness. The feature of the
heat map that allows it to give a geographical visualization of the events can be of use in
displaying location trend hence the selection of the chart is appropriate. The map gives the
intensity of the situation at a particular location this way the user of the information is able to
have physical view of where the events are taking place.
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