MA304-7-SP-CO:
Exploratory Data Analysis and Data Visualisation
2020/21
Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
15
15 July 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC G305JS Applied Data Science
In a world increasingly driven by data, the need for analysis and visualisation is more important than ever. In this course we will look at data through the eyes of a numerical detective. We will work on the lost art of exploratory data analysis, reviewing appropriate methods for data summaries with the aim to summarise, understand, extract hidden patterns and identify relationships. We will then work on graphical data analysis, using simple graphs to understand the data, but also advanced complex methods to scrutinise data and interactive plots to communicate data information to a wider audience.
For data analysis and visualisations we will use R-studio, and a combination of R-shiny applications and google visualisations for interactive plotting.
The aim of the course will be to create data analysts that can identify patterns and display information from data of several sources. The course will encourage statistical thinking by a series of examples of good and not-so-good visualisations and will guide students to develop their creativity within a scientific framework.
At the end of the course students will be able to:
- Summarise and understand information on categorical and continuous variables
- Explore relationships between different variables
- Display graphical information and complex relationships in datasets using R
- Use advanced statistical packages like ggplot2 and produce statistical reports with Rmarkdown
- Create interactive graphs with R shiny and googleVis
Syllabus
-Historical examples of visualization with a particular focus on the role of visualization in the development of the scientific worldview
- Data Visualization for Human Perception
- What makes a good graph – What makes a bad graph
- Examining variables and basic R charts
- Exploring relationships, looking for structure
- Advanced plots with ggplot2
- Interactive graphs
- Testing data quality through graphs
- Telling a story
- High dimensional data visualization
Teaching will be delivered in a way that blends face-to-face classes, for those students that can be present on campus, with a range of online lectures, teaching, learning and collaborative support.
- Cairo, Alberto. (2020-10-13) How Charts Lie, New York: WW Norton & Co.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Coursework 1 |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Coursework 2 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Coursework 3 |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Andrew Harrison, email: harry@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Andew Harrison, Dr Osama Mahmoud & Dr Xinan Yang
Dr Andrew Harrison (harry@essex.ac.uk), Dr Osama Mahmoud (o.mahmoud@essex.ac.uk), Dr Xinan Yang (xyangk@essex.ac.uk)
Yes
Yes
No
Prof Fionn Murtagh
University of Huddersfield
Professor of Data Science
Available via Moodle
Of 2081 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
2081 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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