B7190 - Laboratorio di Data Storytelling

Learning outcomes

Il corso si pome come obiettivo principale di trasmettere agli studenti il ruolo fondamentale della visualizzazione dei dati, sia tabellare, sia grafica, nel comunicare i risultati di un'analisti statistica.

Course contents

The ability to analyze data with statistical tools must be accompanied by the ability not only to interpret the results but also to present them using both visualization and storytelling tools. Data storytelling involves collecting data, exploring the relationships between them, finding interesting patterns, and telling them in a way that provides information to guide choices and actions.

The primary goal of the lab is to prepare students who have quantitative reasoning skills to effectively illustrate the results obtained from data analysis. By the end of the course, students will also have acquired the ability to navigate the multitude of data-based information presented by the media with awareness and recognize any potential issues in the way it is reported.

The lab is divided into three parts.

**First part (4 hours):**

The main tools for collecting data will be illustrated. Topics will include institutional sources, primary sources, and secondary sources; and data collection through ad hoc observational or experimental surveys. Each topic will be covered with reference to case studies.

**Second part (8 hours):**

The main tools for describing and commenting on data, both graphical and textual, and the most common errors that can be encountered will be presented. The difference between misinformation and malinformation, with a particular focus on fake news, will be discussed. Perception and cognitive biases, and their influence on data communication, will be covered. Articles from the media or reports found online will be presented and discussed to identify issues in data communication, such as:

- Errors in data storytelling reported by the media or online.

**Third part (6 hours):**

Guidelines on how to build a presentation, whether scientific or popular, will be provided.

By the end of the lab, students will be able to:

- Find reliable and usable data sources to answer analysis questions;

- Use data, indicators, and graphs appropriately;

- Create a data-based report;

-Recognize fake news on media

Readings/Bibliography

Slide prepared by teacher

Alberto Cairo, Come i grafici mentono. Capire meglio le informazioni visive, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2020

Donata Columbro, Ti spiego il dato. Faenza: Quinto Quarto editore, 2021.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic,. Data Storytelling. Milano: Apogeo Editore, 2016.

David Spiegelhalter, L’arte della statistica. Cosa ci insegnano i dati, Piccola Biblioteca, Einaudi, 2020

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons with the aid of material available online; practical activities analyzing data using Excel and open-source software, particularly R.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of applying what has been learned to a practical case. The assessment will be based on an individual or group written report (with a maximum of 3 people) submitted at least 3 days before the exam date and presented and discussed on the exam day. The report should identify a problem, the data source, and include an analysis and narration of the results. It can be prepared using any tool and should not exceed 15-20 pages.

Teaching tools

Slide, Isitutional Source of data, software open access

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Mignani