Introduction to Data Analysis Handbook - AED Center for Early Care ...

Visualizing Data
Visualizing data is to literally create and then consider a visual display of data. Technically,
it is not analysis, nor is it a substitute for analysis. However, visualizing data can be a
useful starting point prior to the analysis of data.
Consider, for example, someone who is interested in understanding Migrant and Seasonal
Head Start from a national perspective. Specifically, someone might be interested in the
differences in funded enrollment across all MSHS grantees. Looking at a random list of
funded enrollmment numbers (PiR, 2004) gives us one perspective:
10
Random List of Funded Enrollment
677 377
266 601
2719 830
8623 754
480 391
171 425
6984 470
75 1762
259 274
217 684
2709 70
50 133
402 2216
in random order, it is a bit difficult to get a handle on the data. By ranking the values in
order however (notes: this can be done either lowest to highest or highest to lowest) we
gain a more organized perspective of the data set:
© AED/TAC-12 Spring 2006. Permission granted to copy for non-commerical uses only.