led by Dr Thees Spreckelsen, University of Glasgow
Data drives decisions, discoveries, and public discussion. Data visualisations can act as an easily accessible support of these. They are analysis tools as the key means to communicate insights from data. This course will enable you to generate impactful visualisations, to plan and assess graphs that provide analyses, and to report on quantitative data in a systematic, accessible and trustworthy way.
We will explore the process of planning visualizations and the wide range of possibilities they offer. Additionally, we will discuss how to create and present these visualizations in a trustworthy and accessible manner.
You will receive an introduction to using the R software to generate graphs. This will include basic data preparation and an in-depth training session on the ‘ggplot2’ graphics package. You will also learn how to use the reporting tool ‘RMarkdown,’ which enables transparent and highly versatile presentations of visualizations and any accompanying media (e.g., presentations, documents, webpages, or dashboards). Together, these tools will equip you to produce and report a variety of commonly used visualizations.
The session will combine presentations, reflective exercises, and hands-on programming training, allowing you to work directly on your own computer.
Learners will need their own device (preferably a laptop). A series of introductory recordings will be made available to learners one week prior to the course. These will contain a 1) step-by-step guide to installing the free software beforehand; 2) Warm-up materials on how to use R, and 3) a first glimpse at the overall course content.