Scientific Data Visualization: Tables and Graphs That Work (2024)

Effective communication of scientific data is one of the most important skills of a scientist. Stated bluntly, if the intended audience does not get the message in the data (and acts on it), the research effort is wasted.
Data visualization in tables and graphs is essential to effective communication, because it can convey complex relationships in a way unmatched by simple text. However, data visualization is not really a big thing in the education of scientists, nor is it stimulated by the parties responsible for the dissemination of research results, i.e. journals and scientific societies.

This half-day course intends to put the student on the right track to obtain the necessary skills. It consists of about 4 hours of pre-course preparatory homework, followed by 4 hours of group work and interactive lectures. Students prepare by familiarizing themselves with the necessary software; they also submit a table, graph (or both) from prior work.
During the course they receive personalized feedback, and set to improve their product using Microsoft Word (tables) and GraphPad Prism, and the course book written by your lecturer:

“Data Visualization for Biomedical Scientists: Creating Tables and Graphs That Work”

(VU University Press, 2022).

Preparatory work (at home, 4 hours)

• read the introductory texts in the book (see below);
• view an introductory lecture online;
• do homework tasks for a basic understanding of tables in Word, and graphs in Prism;
• submit a graph, or a graph and a table from prior work at least 2 weeks before the course.

Workshop (on location, afternoon, 4 hours)

• with book, follow along exercises on table and graph;
• in pairs, work on your own graph (and optionally: table), based on personalized feedback, give peer feedback;
• plenary discussion with examples from student work.

1. Understand and apply the concepts of clear vision and clear understanding in data visualization.
2. Make a reasoned choice for the best type of visualization for a specific data set/analysis.
3. Apply advanced table formatting in Microsoft Word.
4. Design basic graphs in Prism.
5. Peer review tables and graphs.

Target audience

The course is intended for junior and senior scientists, aiming to improve their visualization skills.

Course prerequisites

Participants are expected to have:

1. Some experience in reading – and preferably writing – scientific manuscripts.
2. Basic mathematical skills (entry level of higher learning: in Dutch, ‘niveau start HBO opleiding’).
3. Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office).
4. Helpful: some knowledge of epidemiological and statistical methods (not mandatory).
5. Willingness to discuss their submitted work in the group.

Course material

1. Book (mandatory):
   Data Visualization for Biomedical Scientists: Creating Tables and Graphs That Work (VU University Press, 2022). Available at the study book section of the VU bookstore, or online at: Data Visualization for Biomedical Scientists – VU University Press – use discount code Boers22Workshop to get 20% off.
2. Materials (lecture, assignments, feedback of the assignments etc.) are available on Canvas, our digital learning environment. The documents will remain available on Canvas for at least one year.
3. Laptop (Mac or Windows) with software: local install or accessible through VIEW (for Amsterdam UMC employees):
   • Microsoft Office (preferably 2019 or later);
   • Prism (v8 or later): download tryout version, unlimited access for 30 days:
     via: https://www.graphpad.com/demos/ or VIEW (you need approval from your Department).

Literature

Book (mandatory):
Data Visualization for Biomedical Scientists: Creating Tables and Graphs That Work (VU University Press, 2022). Available at the study book section of the VU bookstore, or online at: Data Visualization for Biomedical Scientists – VU University Press – use discount code Boers22Workshop to get 20% off.