Expressing Uncertainty Visually: From Communication to Analysis

There is a long history of data graphics being used to represent uncertainty information: think of bar charts accompanied with error bars. Whether or not symbolising statistical quantities in this way is effective at supporting uncertainty reasoning is little-discussed in social research methods primers (spoiler: it is not).

In this session, Dr Roger Beecham will take a tour through some more successful uncertainty representation techniques, drawing from examples in meteorology, human geography, medical statistics and political polling. He will present some principles, techniques and rules that the jobbing social scientist can use to easily improve their data analysis practice. But he will also, with examples, emphasise the importance of creativity and good judgement.

The main part of this training event will take place from 14:00-16:00, followed by refreshments and a networking opportunity until 17:00.

Outcomes

Participants will reflect on uncertainty in quantitative findings, and improve their skills in data visualisation and the communication of results.

Contributors

• Dr Roger Beecham is an Associate Professor of Geographical Analysis at the School of Geography, University of Leeds. His work typically proposes, tests and applies visual methods that help analysts to understand complex spatial processes under uncertainty. He is especially interested in how visualization relates to contemporary data analysis, and can be applied to generate and communicate evidence effectively. He is the author of ‘Visualisation for Social Data Science’ (CRC Press).
• Prof Jose Pina-Sánchez is Professor in Quantitative Criminology at the University of Leeds, and Director of Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) for the WRDTP.

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