Research Guides: Statistics Resource Guide: Data Visualization

Data Visualization

Data visualization is the visual representation of data through graphics and animated interactive maps, making statistics available to a wider public. Increasingly, institutions are using data visualization in order to communicate information clearly and effectively. Below is a selection of organizations already using these increasingly popular tools.

UNDP Human Development Report Public Data Explorer

Since 2010, the Human Development Report data has been available on Google Public Data Explorer, in an initiative aimed at increasing its accessibility. Using the Public Data tool allows for a variety of visualization possibilities, as can be seen below.

Click here to access the data.

Blogs about data visualization

FlowingData
FlowingData explores how designers, statisticians, and computer scientists are using data to understand ourselves better - mainly through data visualization.
Information aesthetics
Inspired by Lev Manovich's definition of "information aesthetics", this weblog explores the symbiotic relationship between creative design and the field of information visualization. More specifically, it collects projects that represent data or information in original or intriguing ways.
Information is beautiful
Written by David McCandless, A London-based author, this blog explores how designed information can help us understand the world and reveal the hidden connections, patterns and stories underneath.
Martin Grandjean - Digital humanities, Data visualization, Network analysis
A data visualization blog, by Martin Grandjean (Swiss historian specialized in digital humanities and network analysis).

Websites

UNdata: visualization and tools
Actuvisu
ActuVisu est un site de visualisation de l'actualité. Une nouvelle manière de raconter le monde. Avec des infographies interactives. Avec des données parlantes.
Data viewer for the ILO Global Job Crisis Observatory
The ILO is following the global job crisis by providing monthly data about employment. The data viewer visualizes time series and gives key data for each country.
Gapminder
Gapminder is a non-profit venture – a modern “museum” on the Internet – promoting sustainable global development and achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Human Development Indicators data visualization through Google Public Data Explorer
All of the key statistical indicators from the Human Development Report, including the HDI, an annual composite national measure of health, education and income are now incorporated in the Public Data Explorer, available through Google Labs.
IMF Data Mapper
The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database contains selected macroeconomic data series from the statistical appendix of the World Economic Outlook report, which presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups and in many individual countries.
OECD Factbook eXplorer
The OECD eXplorer developped jointly by the OECD and the National Centre for Visual Analytics (NCVA, http://ncva.itn.liu.se/) at Linköping University, Sweden, combines maps and graphs with stories allowing users to examine time developments and interrelations between indicators.
ReliefWeb maps and infographics
ReliefWeb collects and delivers key humanitarian information, including maps and infographics on global crises and disasters.
UN: Gapminder Millennium Development Goals Chart
The Gapminder MDG Chart is an interactive and dynamic tool which allows you to easily follow trends in the Millenium Development Goals Indicators over time.
UNHCR RefScout
Visualize population statistics in the form of interactive maps, graphs and tables by regions and countries.
World Bank: World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS)
WITS is a trade software tool giving access to bilateral trade data between countries based on various product classifications, product details, years, and trade flows. It also contains tariff and non-tariff measures as well as an analysis tool to calculate the effects of tariff reductions. In addition, users can view their data using bubble charts and the map visualizer.
World Bank Data
The World Bank is providing free and open access to a comprehensive set of data about development in countries around the globe.
World Bank eAtlas of Global Development
The World Bank eAtlas of Global Development maps and graphs more than 175 thematically organized indicators for over 200 countries, letting you visualize and compare progress on the most important development challenges facing our world.