creating usable data

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Creating Usable Data Usable Data and “Actionable” Information Jonathan Callahan Mazama Science MAZAMA SCIENCE Data – Information – Knowledge

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Page 1: Creating Usable Data

Creating Usable Data

Usable Data and “Actionable” Information

Jonathan CallahanMazama Science

MAZAMA SCIENCE

Data – Information – Knowledge

Page 2: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 2

From Data to DecisionData

“Actionable” InformationKnowledge

Information

Page 3: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 3

Data – Information – Knowledge pathway

Graphic concept from nathan.com

Page 4: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 4Mazama Science 4

From Theory to Practice.

“Data – Information – Knowledge” is the theory.

Data files and software is the practice.

How do data managers start creating “Usable Data”?

How does this lead to “Actionable Information”?

Page 5: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 5Mazama Science 5

For Usable Data – Identify Your Users!

Do you want to support analysts?(data only)

Do you want to support authors?(data summaries and charts)

Do you want to engage local citizens?(maps and local information)

Do you want to support decision makers?(integrated stories)

Page 6: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 6

Support Analysts with Data.

Analysts want raw data.

They want easy access.

They know how to work with data.

They have their own tools.

Give them big CSV files.

Page 7: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 7

Support Authors with Tables and Charts.

Authors want data summaries.

They want to tell stories.

They don't have great data skills.

They will publish on the web.

Give them summary tables and good data graphics. (.png)

Page 8: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 8

Engage Citizens with Maps & Local Info.

Citizens want to know what is going on near them.

They want maps.

They want simple explanations.

They will influence decisionmakers.

Give them web pages with text, maps and charts.

Page 9: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 9

Support Decision Makers with Stories.

Decision Makers want“Actionable Information”.

They want integrated stories.

They don't have expert knowledge.

They need well informed citizensto back them up.

Give them compelling stories.

Page 10: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 10Mazama Science 10

Keep It Simple – Data and Charts

Data

ASCII CSV files on a web site

Text files (.txt, .pdf) with metadata describing the data

Data summaries and charts

Summarize important results in tables.

Study other sites for excellent chart examples.

Are your charts easy to understand?

Do they tell a story?

Are they beautiful?

Provide charts that can be copied. (.png)

Build a simple web presentation with html and javascript.

Page 11: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 11Mazama Science 11

Keep It Simple – Maps and Stories

Maps

Don't require the use of interactive maps.

Provide static versions of maps. (.png)

Provide KML files.

Integrated Stories

Tell compelling stories!

Who are the actors?

What is at stake?

What do we know?

Use web pages to integrate information.

Have “data consumers” write the stories.

Page 12: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 12

Examples of an 'engaged public'.

Page 13: Creating Usable Data

STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 13

End of Presentation

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STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013Mazama Science 14

Number CrunchersPattern Recognizers& Story Tellers

The story behind this presentation.

Page 15: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 15STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Number Crunchers

Fast

Accurate

Consistent

> 50 years of evolution

Very good at what they do!

Page 16: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 16STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Pattern Recognizers

Fast!

Accurate ~

Creative!!

> 50K years of evolution

Awesome at what we do!

Page 17: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 17STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Pattern Recognition

Humans are better than computers are recognizing patterns.

Page 18: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 18STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Pattern Recognition

Sensors can generate and computers can process millions of measurements.

When presented visually, humans recognize patterns instantly.

Page 19: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 19STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Pattern Recognition

• Humans communicate by telling stories.

• Familiar pictures help us tell those stories.

Page 20: Creating Usable Data

Mazama Science 20STRIPE Regional Meeting -- Apr 29 - May 01, 2013

Pattern Recognition

When we want to tell stories with data we use graphics.

Including visualizations that map onto the real world.

And charts that are completely abstract.

Telling stories with data requires data visualization.