The Use of Data Visualizations for Analyzing Social Trends

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Richard Schaefer

University of New Mexico (Correspondence: schaefer@unm.edu)

Citation: Schaefer, R. (2018). The use of data visualizations for analyzing social trends. Journal of Communication Technology, 1(1), 61-76. https://doi.org/10.51548/joctec-2018-005

Abstract:  This essay posits that now is a particularly propitious time for the development and use of data visualization as a means for communicating abstract baseline information about society’s complex institutions, organizations, and social structures. It reviews recent developments in off- the-shelf visualization software and describes supporting literature and tutorials. Finally, it presents some of the ethical dilemmas and constraints confronting visualization producers.