Connecting the Dots: From Data Visualization to Useful Information

1. Connecting the Dots: From Data Visualization to Useful Information Meredith Miceli Haidee Bernstein Kerry Friedman STATS-DC Washington, DC July 25, 2018

2. The Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) • A 5-year Center funded by ED’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to assist states with improving IDEA early intervention (Part C ) and early childhood special education (Part B section 619) data by: • Building better data systems • Coordinating data systems across early childhood programs • Connecting to longitudinal data systems • Building the capacity of states to use data

3. DaSy Activities • Knowledge Development • Collect information about state IDEA EC data systems • Develop a framework for state IDEA EC data systems • TA and Dissemination • Provide a continuum of TA and dissemination activities • Leadership and Coordination • Communicate and collaborate with relevant projects

4. Six Sub-Components of the DaSy Data System Framework http://dasycenter.org/resources/dasy-framework/

5. Data Visualization & the DaSy Framework • Quality Indicator DU3: Part C/619 state and local staff or representatives prepare data products to promote understanding of the data and inform decision-making.

6. Purposes of Data Visualization • Explore and analyze patterns and relationships

7. Purposes of Data Visualization • Communicate findings • Tell a data story • Use data for decision-making Infographic from U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/visualizations/2013/comm/child_care.pdf

8. Extreme Makeover Data Edition

9. Makeover 1: Find and highlight your key point So, uh, what’s your point?

10. Before

11. What’s your point? https://youtu.be/AFvHAIqw2jA

12. After

13. Home Improvements • Does your data display clearly convey a key point? • What improvements could you make to better convey a key point?

14. Makeover 2: Overcome Data Overload

15. Before

16. The Spaghetti Chart Source: http://www.storytellingwithdata.com/blog/2013/03/avoiding-spaghetti-graph

17. After Focus your Chart

18. The Spaghetti Graph: Untangled

19. AfterUse Small Multiples

20. Provider Competence Before and After Professional Development Site F improved significantly, while Site D was the only site to decline AfterFocus on the before & after with a Slope Chart

21. AfterBreak it Down – Small Multiple Slope Charts Source: Pew Research Center via The Washington Post

22. AfterTry a Dot Plot State Variation in Percent of Children Exiting Part B Preschool within Age Expectations, 2014-15 Social Relationships National average: 58% Knowledge & Skills National average: 51% Action to Meet Needs National average: 63% n=56 Find instructions to create a dot plot in the Charts section of the data visualization toolkit

23. Before

24. After

25. Home Improvements • Does your data displays suffer from data overload? • What improvements could you make to reduce data overload?

26. Makeover 3: Accurately represent your data

27. Before

28. After

29. Before

30. Before

31. Where to Start & End your Y-Axis • Bar charts should start at zero • Other charts should start at zero if zero is in the realm of possible/reasonable data points • Bar and other charts don’t have to run to 100% • Pick a reasonable ending point • If there is a goal or maximum, end there and mark as such Source: http://stephanieevergreen.com/y-axis/

32. After

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34. Before

35. Before

36. Before

37. After Maple St. Screening Results By Classroom Classrooms 1,5, and 6 have higher numbers of children who failed screenings Language Social-Emotional Cognitive Development Fail Pass

38. Home Improvements • Does your data display present an accurate and easy to interpret picture of your data? • What improvements could you make to more accurately represent your data?

39. Makeover 4: Make it accessible

40. Before

41. Create Alt Text • Text equivalent for an image that screen readers pick up • Necessary when posting images on the web • Alt text should: • Be accurate and equivalent in presenting the same content and function of the image • Be succinct • NOT be redundant with text surrounding image

42. Example Alt Text Most families report timely services and sufficient information, but fewer report being given choices in services and supports. In response to the prompt “the services in our IFSP have been provided in a timely manner”, 52% strongly agree, 38% agree, 6% disagree, and 4% strongly disagree. In response to the prompt “my family was given choices concerning the supports and services my child received”, 30% strongly agree, 15% agree, 45% disagree, and 10% strongly disagree. In response to the prompt “my family was given information about the services and programs available”, 50% strongly agree, 35% agree, 10% disagree, and 5% strongly disagree.

43. Be Careful with Color Avoid stoplight color combinations Use tools to help you check contrast and whether your colors are colorblind safe Find tools here: http://dasycenter.org/data-visualization-toolkit/color/

44. After

45. Home Improvements • What accessibility concerns do you have about your data display and how can you address them?

46. Makeover 5: Get rid of the snooze-factor

47. Before: Default is Dull

48. After: De-Default Your Chart

49. Tips for Better Charts Add data labels! Update colors! Try colorbrewer2.org or color.adobe.com for ideas

50. Try an Infographic!