Data Visualization, Part 1: New Directions for Evaluation, Number 139

This issue aims to reach a broad and diverse set of practicing evaluators and researchers who are regularly required to communicate data and information to stakeholders. The issue is Part 1 of a two–part series on data visualization and evaluation. In Part 1, we introduce the evaluation community to recent developments in the quantitative and qualitative data visualization field and provide a historical perspective on data visualization, its potential role in evaluation practice, and future directions. The chapters in this part will discuss quantitative visualization methods such as tree maps, sparklines, and Web–based interactive visualization. The qualitative visualization chapter describes a conceptual framework for understanding the different types of qualitative data visualizations before providing examples of visualizations in various evaluation contexts. The end of Part 1 contains a toolography describing additional data visualization tools and software, along with brief descriptions of their major strengths and limitations. Our goal throughout this series is to introduce some fundamental concepts in data visualization, linked to daily practice. This volume is intended as a reference and as a source for guidance and ideas for evaluators who are interested in, designing, and struggling with data visualizations.

EDITORS’ NOTES 3
Tarek Azzam, Stephanie Evergreen

1. Data Visualization and Evaluation 7
Tarek Azzam, Stephanie Evergreen, Amy A. Germuth, Susan J. Kistler

This chapter elaborates on the definition of data visualization, highlights its historical development, and outlines future trends in data visualization and the potential influence these trends will have on evaluation
practice.

2. Developments in Quantitative Data Display and Their 33
Implications for Evaluation Christopher Lysy

This chapter introduces evaluators to newer quantitative display types that have gained popularity over the last decade, and presents new functionalities, made possible by the Web, and discusses how these features can be used to increase the amount of data presented while maintaining visual simplicity.

3. Visualizing Qualitative Data in Evaluation Research 53
Stuart Henderson, Eden H. Segal

This chapter introduces data visualization techniques for qualitative data, and describes a conceptual framework for understanding the different types of qualitative data visualizations before providing examples of visualizations in various evaluation contexts.

4. Toolography 73
Susan J. Kistler, Stephanie Evergreen, Tarek Azzam

This chapter offers descriptions of a selection of the tools mentioned in the volume, as well as others in use in the field, and provides readers with a general estimate of their ease of use, whether free or not, and strengths/weaknesses.

INDEX 85