This course provides an an introduction to the world of data and how data can be used to answer questions that interest journalists, strategic communicators, and students of social sciences in general. This course emphasizes the critical connections between data analyses that would involve statistical processing of raw data and visualization strategies that would facilitate faithful, accurate, and compelling delivery of data insights to targeted audiences. It offers a combination of conceptual training, instruction in specific tools for data analysis and visualization, and the opportunity to put new skills to use in a final project.
How Does the Rise of Local News Deserts Impact America?
By Lauren Ingrassia, Laura Luo, Ann Hammel, and Nico Ulrich
This project investigates the growth of “news deserts” across the United States—communities with little or no access to local newspapers. Using data from the U.S. Census and Northwestern University’s Medill Local News Initiative, we analyzed how rural and low-density areas are disproportionately affected by the decline of local journalism and proposed strategies to improve news access and community engagement.
County-Level Trends in Grocery Store Access In Wisconsin
By Chloe Siegel
Limited grocery access contributes to food insecurity and public health disparities. This study utilizes the USDA Food Environment Atlas data to examine how food access has changed across Wisconsin counties from 2010 to 2015.
The Last Five Years of Starbucks' Success
By Caroline Krutchen
This infographic highlights Starbucks’ key drivers of growth: the implementation of technology, product diversity, and store expansion. As a loyal customer and former barista at my hometown Starbucks, I was inspired to explore the business analytics behind the brand and create clear, easily interpretable visualizations of the data.
The Impact of Student Loan Debt in the United States
By Yunyi Qian, Veronica Laster, and Sheng Lee
Student loan debt is a defining challenge in the U.S., impacting millions of lives and shaping long-term financial stability. Our project analyzes trends, deferments, and the burden carried across age groups and regions. Inspired by rising education costs, we aim to shed light on the growing crisis and explore solutions for a clearer financial future.
