BANA6037/5137 – Data Visualization

Fall Semester 2018 (18FS) / First Half Session

Section 001/003

Instructor:
Jeffrey A. Shaffer
Vice President, IT and Analytics, Unifund
Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati
[email protected]
513.615.0001
DataPlusScience.com
@HighVizAbility

Required Course Materials

The Big Book Dashboards: Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios
Steve Wexler, Jeffrey Shaffer, Andy Cotgreave, Wiley (2017)
Additional Readings: Provided by Instructors

Suggested Reading (not required)

Storytelling with Data
Cole Nussbaumer, Wiley (2015)
The Functional Art
Alberto Cairo, New Riders (2012)
The Truthful Art
Alberto Cairo, New Riders (2016)
The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics: The Dos and Don’ts of Presenting Data,
Facts, and Figures
Dona M. Wong, W. W. Norton & Company (2010)
Information Dashboard Design: Displaying Data for At-a-Glance Monitoring
Stephen Few, O’Reilly Media (2013)
Show Me the Numbers: Designing Tables and Graphs to Enlighten
Stephen Few, Analytics Press (2004)
Visualize This: The Flowing Data Guide to Design, Visualization, and Statistics
Nathan Yau, Wiley (2011)
Now You See It, Stephen Few, Analytics Press (2009)

Suggested Feeds/Blog Subscriptions

DataPlusScience by Jeffrey Shaffer
Data Revelations by Steve Wexler
Viz of the Day by Tableau Software
Makeover Monday Project by Andy Kriebel and Eva Murray
The Functional Art by Alberto Cairo
Flowing Data by Nathan Yau
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer
VizWiz by Andy Kriebel
Dear-Data.com by Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec
Dear-Data-Two.com by Jeffrey Shaffer and Andy Kriebel

Summary

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This course provides an introduction as well as hands-on experience in data visualization. It introduces
students to design principles for creating meaningful displays of quantitative and qualitative data to
facilitate managerial decision-making.

Course Objectives
 Provide an overview and brief history of the practice of data visualization
 Introduce students to the key design principles and techniques for visualizing data
 Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of communication and alignment around
concepts that are required for effective data presentation
 Provide an overview and develop an introductory level of competency on the use of several
available software tools that can be used for data visualization
 Allow for project-based opportunities to identify, understand, analyze, prepare, and present
effective visualizations on a variety of topics

Course Prerequisites
 General computer skills and a familiarity with charting tools like Microsoft Excel are necessary,
along with access to the Internet for research and data gathering.
 Direct access to a computer on which the student can install software is highly recommended
(see Required Software below)
 An understanding of basic charting and statistical terms and practices will be helpful, but not
required.

Student Outcomes
After taking this course, students should be able to collect and process data, create an interactive
visualization, and use it to demonstrate or provide insight into a problem, situation, or phenomenon.

Moreover, students should have the basic knowledge needed to critique various visualizations (good
and bad), and to identify design principles that make good visualizations effective. Students should also
have a basic understanding of some of the challenges present in making data understandable across a
wide range of potential audiences.

Finally, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their own skills in identifying a visualization
that can be improved, completing their own design and/or analysis on the underlying data, and working
to publish or promote acceptance of their presentation.

Course Format
Students will read class material, study best and worst practices, compare and contrast real-world
examples, engage in problem solving, and participate in discussions related to the course material.
Students will also practice applying the techniques and best practices discussed to real-world problems.

Required Software
A significant amount of time that students spend completing their assignments will involve the use of
visualization software. Instruction will be focused and directed based on the capabilities/features of:

 Tableau Desktop Professional (TFT License), Student License or Tableau Public

 Microsoft Excel (Win 2007/Mac 2008 or Win 2010/Mac 2011 or Win 2013) - Optional
 R, R Studio and Shiny - Optional

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Students will be able to learn the basic features of one or more of these through training videos that are
posted in Blackboard, self-directed studies or by using available resources online. The instructor is also
willing to help with specific questions or techniques as needed.

Students may use any technology platform for their projects, as long as work is presentable for in
class review, and accessible for review by the course instructor. If there is any question about whether
work can be accessed for review or presentation (e.g., if it is not created in one of the software tools
listed above), you must check with the instructor prior to submitting your work.

Microsoft Windows and Excel can be purchased from the University Bookstore for a nominal charge if
needed. A fully licensed version of Tableau Desktop is made available to each student for the duration
of the class, or if preferred, the student may use the freely available Tableau Public software for non-
proprietary and non-confidential data.

A full copy of Tableau Desktop is also available to full-time students for free for a year, available from
Tableau. Microsoft Excel and Tableau Desktop Professional are available for both Apple Macintosh and
Windows operating systems.

Expectations of Students
Students are expected to prepare and participate by:

1. Reading scheduled assignments each week

2. Participating in class discussions posted on Blackboard, projects, and quizzes
3. Completing the assigned homework projects by the due date
4. Participate in Group Projects

Students are expected to complete each test, exam, homework, and all other assignments
independently. The student’s submissions must represent his or her individual work, and citations must
be provided where content from other sources is referenced. Also, you may not re-use a data set from
one project to another; you must start with a completely new data set each time.

Students will be assigned to groups for the purpose of completing specific assignments. It is important
that you participate as necessary in the groups to complete assignments. Low participation in your
group may affect your final grade for any group assignments.

Academic Integrity
If there is a question about the academic integrity of a submission, or if it is believed that a submission
does not fully represent the unique work of the student or assigned group members, the instructors will
take all appropriate action in accordance with the university policy on Academic Misconduct and
Plagiarism (http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Academic_Integrity.html). This includes issuance of an “F”
grade for the course. Group projects should be collaborative only within your group and not shared
between groups.

As with all Lindner College of Business efforts, this course will uphold the highest ethical standards,
critical to building character (the C in PACE). Ensuing your integrity is vital and your responsibility. LCB
instructors are required to report ANY incident of academic misconduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) to
the college review process, which could result in severe consequences, including potential dismissal
from the college. For further information on Academic Misconduct or related university policies and
procedures, please see the UC Code of Conduct (http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Code_of_Conduct.html).

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Counseling Services, Clifton Campus
Students have access to counseling and mental health care through the University Health Services (UHS),
which can provide both psychotherapy and psychiatric services. In addition, Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS) can provide professional counseling upon request; students may receive
five free counseling sessions through CAPS without insurance. Students are encouraged to seek
assistance for anxiety, depression, trauma/assault, adjustment to college life, interpersonal/relational
difficulty, sexuality, family conflict, grief and loss, disordered eating and body image, alcohol and
substance abuse, anger management, identity development and issues related to diversity, concerns
associated with sexual orientation and spirituality concerns, as well as any other issue of concerns. After
hours, students may call UHS at 513-556- 2564 or CAPS Cares at 513-556- 0648. For urgent physician
consultation after-hours students may call 513-584- 7777. For information about services at Blue Ash or
Clermont campus see Course Information in Blackboard.

Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of your actual or perceived
sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Title IX also covers sexual
violence, dating or domestic violence, and stalking. If you disclose a Title IX issue to me, I am required
forward that information to the Title IX Office. They will follow up with you about how the University
can take steps to address the impact on you and the community and make you aware of your rights and
resources. Their priority is to make sure you are safe and successful here. You are not required to talk
with the Title IX Office. If you would like to make a report of sex or gender-based discrimination,
harassment or violence, or if you would like to know more about your rights and resources on campus,
you can consult the website www.uc.edu/titleix or contact the office at 556-3349.

Performance Evaluation
Course grades will be determined as follows: % Points
1) Homework – Halloween Viz (Individual) 5% 50 pts
2) Homework #2– Halloween Viz Redesign or Makeover Monday (Individual) 5% 50 pts
3) Three Quizzes (Individual) 20% 200 pts
4) Dear-Data Postcard (Individual) 10% 100 pts
5) Project 1 (Group) 20% 200 pts
6) Final Project - Final Interactive Data Visualization and Presentation (Group) 40% 400 pts
Total: 100% 1,000 pts

Extra credit (one opportunity allowed for extra credit per student, see below) Up to 3% Up to 30 pts

Grading Scale
93% - 100% A Please see the Grading Rubric for grading criteria on assignments.
90% - 92.9% A- Points for the Test will be awarded as marked on the exam.
87% - 89.9% B+
83% - 86.9% B
80% - 82.9% B-
Below 80% C
Below 70% F

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All students have the same opportunity to earn points in the course. Any questions regarding grading
must be addressed within one week of return of the graded assignment, quiz or exam to the student.

Group Member Feedback and Grading

For group projects, the instructor may allow for members to provide feedback on contributions and
work effort of other group members. This feedback may be taken into account in issuing individualized
grades for group projects. In other words, the input of your group members may positively or negatively
affect your grade on these projects.

Extra Credit Assignment

Each student has an opportunity to earn extra credit by completing one additional assignment. The
subject / topic and data set used must be approved by the instructor, and work on the extra credit
assignment must be by individual only (no group extra credit assignments).

Students may select one of the two options below for their extra credit assignment. Please note that
you must complete all requirements of the assignment to be eligible for full credit:

1) Participate in Andy Kriebel’s Makeover Monday Project (http://www.makeovermonday.co.uk/)

a. Andy Kriebel’s makeover Monday dataset is published every Sunday. Use any Sunday
dataset and create a makeover of the chart using the provided data.
b. Publish your own blog post about your redesign or post to Tableau Public or Twitter

2) Create an Infographic or Data Visualization

a. Identify a dataset (for example, information about schools performance in Ohio,
economic reports, government or corporate report, etc.) that would make a good
infographic
b. Create an infographic or Data Visualization using the dataset you found. This can be
done in any tool, for example Tableau or an online tool such as Canva.

3) Pick a topic from Dear-Data.com or Dear-Data-Two.com and create your own post card. You are
welcome to mail it to someone you know, but please take a high resolution picture of both sides
of the card to submit for your extra credit assignment.

See Examples:
Dear-Data.com by Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec
Dear-Data-Two.com by Jeffrey Shaffer and Andy Kriebel

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Exam

The test will cover the concepts and material in each of the first 3 classes. Students will be expected to
apply the class readings and lectures in answering the test questions.

The test will be taken in class, online through Blackboard. Without prior approval, prior to the exam
time, make-up opportunities are limited to documented emergencies. Instructor discretion is used in
determining whether a situation constitutes an emergency.

Projects
Through a variety of projects, we will analyze best practices and compare and contrast with not-so-best
practices. Students will learn to critique good and bad data visualizations and will be required to create
and recreate various data visualizations using various sets of data. The final project will be interactive in
nature and not simply a static chart. Points will be deducted for final projects that are not interactive.

Homework
Homework assignments will be given in this class and are due by the date and time indicated in the
syllabus or as indicated by the instructor.

Submission of Homework and Project Deliverables

Students must submit all required assignments and supporting work via Blackboard. The submission
time listed in Blackboard will be used to determine whether an assignment is on time or late. If multiple
submissions are received, the final submission will be considered for grading (along with determining if
the assignment was submitted on time). Submissions that are “in progress” or “draft” status in
Blackboard at the designated due date and time will not be considered submitted. For group projects,
the designated spokesperson is responsible for submitting all materials on behalf of the group.

Late Assignments
Late assignments will receive a deduction of 5% per day, beginning with a 5% deduction for assignments
turned in past the date and time due. Assignments more than 3 days late will not be accepted.

Adjustments to Assignments, Schedule, and Syllabus

The scope, timing, and due date/time of any assignments, projects, homework, exams, or any other
required work may be adjusted by the instructor as needed to maximize learning opportunities for
students and/or better serve the goals of the course. The syllabus may likewise be modified at the
discretion of the instructor.

Any adjustments will be communicated to students in class and on Blackboard with as much advance
notice as possible.

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GRADING RUBRICS for BANA6037 Visualization, Project, and Lab Assignments
Criteria 10 – Outstanding 9 – Proficient 8 – Basic 7 (or lower) - Below Expectations
OBJECTIVE
Completed assignment All portions of the assignment, including presentations, data preparation, and visualizations were attempted and submitted.
per requirements This is a pass / fail component. All or no points are awarded.
Data is appropriate and The data set chosen or used by is Data is appropriate but minor Data is related but not sufficient Data has little or no relation to the
sufficient for the analysis appropriate, correct, and sufficient data issues may be present or to support the analysis, or topic being explored, errors will lead to
to support the thesis of the enhancements may be needed significant data issues prevent a incorrect conclusion, and/or data issues
analysis. for a proper analysis. clear reading of the results. make the analysis unusable.
Headers, directions, Clear direction is provided. Visual Header, footers, and The user must self-discover The user has little or no indication of
citations, and visual cues cues, tooltips, and citations are instructions are present, but functionality. Headers and footers how to engage. Directions are missing
are given as guides consistently and correctly employed visual cues may be missing or may be missing. Difficult to know on clear. Missing headers and footers
to inform and guide. could be improved. what to do. for context and meaning.
Basic visualization rules Chart types are suitable and best Chart types chosen are Charts incorrectly used for the Difficult to understand what is
and best practices are options for the analysis. All axes acceptable, but axes may be purpose intended. Axes are intended with the chart and data.
consistently applied and and text are treated appropriately. cluttered or have rotated text. difficult to read and detract from Color actively distracts and confuses.
demonstrated The application of color is correct Color choices communicate understanding. Color used in a Chart junk dominates the visualization
and clearly conveys meaning. meaning but can be improved. distracting or unsuitable manner. and the meaning is unreadable.
The visualization allows The visualization facilitates quick Study is required to interpret The visualization does not directly The visualization is completely
the user to conduct the cognition and leading to a fact- the data and how it applies to address the topic or relies on inappropriate and cannot be used to
intended analysis based conclusion or assertion. the thesis of the analysis. presentation support. conduct the intended analysis.
SUBJECTIVE
Viz is clean, clear, concise, The 4Cs are well represented; the Aspects of the 4Cs are apparent; Multiple aspects of the 4Cs are Significant or complete disregard for
captivating (Shaffer 4 C’s) visualization is clear, clean, concise, opportunity exists for further missing, or have not been well the guidance present in the 4Cs,
and captivating. enhancement. addressed in the visualization. resulting in a poor visualization.
Attractiveness and Fonts choices are conscious and Visualization shows thought and Visualization appears sloppy and Little or no apparent thought or given
attention to design and consistent, proper grammar and planning, and most aspects may be difficult to understand as and visualization comes across as
details of craft spelling is used, and choice of work in harmony. May exhibit a coherent whole. Multiple issues disorganized. May be visible through
position, size, and emphasis minor issues with spelling, with spelling, font consistency, numerous spelling or grammar issues,
integrate elements into a visually alignment, or sizing mismatched positioning, or other distracting poor alignment and positioning choices
appealing and engaging whole. with importance. characteristics. inappropriate font use, etc.
The visualization is usable The visualization is targeted to the There is a clear message or story The visualization suggests some No apparent message or relevancy to
and actionable (Duell audience, the story is evident, and conveyed, but the action or possibilities, but does not lead to the user; no actions can nor should be
Rules) the conclusion or action required is conclusion that should be drawn clarity of understanding and taken based on the analysis.
clearly apparent. No additional is not definitive. May require therefore action is not possible.
interpretation is needed. interpretation.
Quality, integrity, and The analysis shows a level of The overall conclusions of the The analysis shows a trend or The analysis appears to be poorly
impact of the findings and quality, integrity, and competency analysis seem to be sound, with suggests a result, but is not conducted, greatly compromising the
analysis that makes the viz impactful, support by anecdotes or trustworthy because of errors in integrity of some or all of the
generating a high level of trust. additional evidence. process, omission, or scope. visualization.
Overall effectiveness of The visualization (or presentation) Delivery provides a strong The presentation and The communication and presentation
communication and is delivered in a convincing way that argument and is well supported; communication leaves concerns results in confusion and low level of
presentation demonstrates confidence, minor details should be vetted or lingering lack of clarity. Work confidence in the analysis, requiring a
competency, and thoroughness. and affirmed. required to review and confirm. significant or complete re-do.

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 Week Topic Tasks
#1 Lectures: Install Tableau Desktop Professional
 Introduction (license key provided) prior to first
8/27/2018  What is Data Visualization and why is it important? class.
through  Visual Perception
9/2/2018  Brief History of Data Visualization FOR NEXT CLASS
 Design Principles – Preattentive Attributes and Thinking Systems 1. Read Shaffer 4C’s and Clean
Tuesday (003)  Picking the Right Tool for the Job Examples
8/28/2018 Readings: 2. Homework #1: Prepare a data

Netiquette visualization using Halloween Trick
Saturday (001) 
Common Pitfalls or Treater data set (provided)
9/1/2018 
Graph Selection Matrix Due at beginning of Class #2

Shaffer 4C’s and Clean Examples
Tableau Training (optional):
 1.1 to 1.14 (98 mins)
#2 Lectures: HOMEWORK 1
 Review Halloween Exercise (Trick or Treater data visualization)
9/3/2018  Data Quality Due at beginning of class
through  Facilitating Discovery
9/9/2018  Actionable Visualizations and the Duell Rules FOR NEXT CLASS
Readings: 1. Redesign HW#1 OR
 The Big Book of Dashboards 2. Participate in Makeover
Tuesday (003) Chapter 1 (pages 3-36) Monday
9/4/2018 Chapter 30 (pages 339-351) 3. Read Juice Analytics
 Juice Analytics Whitepaper Parts 1 and 2 Whitepaper
Saturday (001) Tableau Training (optional): (3 parts)
9/8/2018  2.1 to 2.22 (99 mins)

#3 Lectures: Redesign of HW#1 or Makeover

 Chart Types and Pie Charts Monday
9/7/2018  Compare and Contrast Due at beginning of class
through  Chart Junk and Data to Ink Ratio

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 Week Topic Tasks
9/16/2018  Message and Chart Types FOR NEXT CLASS
 Color and Color Blind Study for exam
Tuesday (003) Readings: Review all lecture and homework
9/11/2018 
The Big Book of Dashboards content from classes 1-3.
Chapter 33 (pages 391-395) Take Exam on Blackboard
Saturday (001) Chapter 34 (pages 397-403)
9/15/2018 Chapter 35 (pages 405-409)
 Juice Analytics Whitepaper Part 3
 Save the Pies for Dessert
Visit Dear-Data.com & Dear-Data-Two.com (Module 4 assignment)

Tableau Training (optional):

 3.1 to 3.22 (97 mins)
#4 Lectures: Exam using Blackboard
 Infographics Take Exam any time prior to class #4
9/17/2018  Nobel, No Degrees
through Readings: FOR NEXT CLASS
9/23/2018  The Big Book of Dashboards Create a Dear-Data Postcard.
Chapter 31 (pages 353-380) Pick any week from the Dear-Data.com
Tableau Training (optional): or Dear-Data-Two.com project and
Tuesday (003)  4.1 to 4.7 (37 mins) create a postcard.
9/18/2018 Videos:
 Dear Data Two Presentation from Tableau Conference (60 mins)
Saturday (001)  Journalism in the Age of Data (53 minutes)
9/22/2018  Presentation by Alberto Cairo on Infographics (10 mins)
#5 Lectures: Dear-Data Postcard
 Design Font and Graphics Due at beginning of class
9/24/2018  Mapping and Geocoding Post Images to Blackboard or
through Readings: Bring postcard to Class to turn in
9/30/2018  The Big Book of Dashboards
Reference Scenarios for your projects (Chapters 2-29) FOR NEXT CLASS
Tuesday (003) Tableau Training (optional): PROJECT 1 COMPLETED
9/25/2018  5.1 to 5.10 (40 mins) Due at beginning of class
Videos:
Saturday (001)  Inge Druckrey: Teaching to See (36 mins)

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 Week Topic Tasks
9/29/2018  Silenc – visualization (2 mins)
#6 Lectures: PROJECT 1 (Team)
 Social Alignment (35 mins) Due at beginning of class
10/1/2018  Interactive Visualizations (teams will not present in class)
through  Critical Thinking in Data Analysis
10/7/2018 Readings: FOR NEXT CLASS

The Big Book of Dashboards Final Project Due
Tuesday (003) Reference Scenarios for your projects (Chapters 2-29) Visualizations and Presentation
10/2/2018 Tableau Training (optional): (teams will present in class)
 6.1 to 6.9 (37 mins) Due MONDAY 10/8 at 10:00 P.M.(003)
Saturday (001) Work on Final Projects and Presentations Due FRIDAY 10/12 at 10:00 P.M. (001)
10/6/2018 (the evening prior to class)
#7 Lectures: FINAL PROJECT
 Tableau Demonstration Visualizations and Presentation
10/8/2018 Due MONDAY 10/8 at 10:00 P.M. (003)
through Final Data Visualization Project presentations Due FRIDAY 10/12 at 10:00 P.M. (001)
10/14/2018  Presentation (ex. PowerPoint, Prezi, Tableau Storypoints) (the evening prior to class)
 Interactive Visualization (ex. Tableau) Teams Present in Class #7
Tuesday (003)  Video presentations (ex. Blog entry on Blackboard, YouTube link)
10/9/2018

Saturday (001)
10/13/2018

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