ORGANIZER/MODERATOR : Joan E. Beaudoin, Wayne State University
PRESENTERS:
Endorsed by the Education Committee
Data visualization, a graphical means of communicating information by providing insights into underlying phenomena of a data set, is a powerful technique of analysis that has historically been limited to scientific domains. From pointing to network linkages to identifying trends and outliers, current data visualization tools can also offer unique ways to examine information recorded about cultural materials. As VRA members create and manage rich data sets for cultural heritage materials, they have at their disposal the fundamental building blocks needed to create visualizations of networks and/or reveal patterns that are present but hidden in their aggregated data.
This session will provide several presentations on data visualization. The first presentation will include an overview of the processes and techniques used to create the graphical displays of data. Additional presentations will highlight current projects which utilize these tools and methods to work with cultural heritage data, and offer examples of how patterns and networks can be revealed. As the exploitation of data through visualizations is becoming a prevalent technique of analysis in research and industry, attendees would benefit by becoming better informed about these methods. Additionally, as advocates for the cultural heritage sector, VRA members could use these data visualization methods to bring attention to their work and materials.