Data Visualisation | STAT6119 | University of Southampton

Module overview

Data visualisation is the process of summarising and communicating the information in a dataset through graphics. This course examines what makes good visualisations, and how this depends on the audience and purpose of the visualisation and the type of data being displayed. The link between good graphics and an understanding of human perceptual and information-processing capacities are discussed. These principles are put into practice by using the R programming language to construct and deploy high quality visualisations.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

critically assess different methods of data visualisation and select one appropriate for a particular purpose and audience.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the principles of interaction design.
the principles of information design;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

construct effective data visualisations, including both static and interactive visualisations.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

interpret and criticise data visualisations, and identify those that are misleading.

Syllabus

Principles of information design
Graphical typology
Tools for data visualisation
The grammar of graphics
Principles of interaction design
Visualisation on the web
Interactive visualisation in R and Shiny
Report automation and dashboards using R and markdown.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered face to face intensively over a week and will include lectures and practical computer workshop in Python. A range of resources will also be provided for further self-directed study.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	73
Teaching	27
Total study time	100

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Claus O. Wilke (2019). Fundamentals of Data Visualization . O'Reilly Media .

Assessment

Assessment strategy

100% Coursework

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External