65  Purpose

Data visualization is an analytical tool combining both statistics and communication skills. It bridges the gap between a solid technical understanding of data on one side, and proper implementation of design on the other.

In the following chapters, we’ll look at the techniques used by scientists of all stripes to create effective data visualizations of quantitative data. This involves bringing together many diverse topics into a cohesive set of principles.

I’ll present an overview of the many possibilities for plotting quantitative data and readers will understand which methods best represent a given data-set to address specific underlying research questions.

The grammar of graphics plotting framework will tie all the concepts together. As we progress, I’ll explore the seven layers involved in building all variety of plots:

  1. Data
  2. Aesthetics — Chapter 81, Chapter 82
  3. Geometries — ?sec-geomUni
  4. Statistics — ?sec-geomMulti
  5. Coordinates — Chapter 79
  6. Facets — Chapter 78
  7. Themes — Chapter 80