HLTH 652 Data Visualization and Spatial Analysis

Data visualization is a vital component in the process for identifying health needs, the scope of health problems, and the burden of disease, while spatial analysis of health-related data allows for the combination of data from multiple sources to identify disease hot-spots and priority populations so that health resources are allocated to where there is greatest need and interventions are targeted to communities where they are likely to be most effective. It has become imperative for public health practitioners, especially epidemiologists, to be able to communicate health information in ways that appeal to both professionals and lay people, are easy to interpret, inform the development of public health interventions, and are able to motivate action. Many jobs in the public health field now list data visualization and spatial analysis skills as basic requirements.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. Each discussion will consist of a thread and at least 2 replies that provide substantial, thoughtful, and critical discussion. Initial threads must be between 400-500 words and utilize at least 2 scholarly citations. Each reply must be between 200-250 words and utilize at least 1 scholarly citation. Any sources cited must have been published within the last 5 years. All citations must be cited in current AMA format. (CLO: A, B, C, & D)

Practice Assignments (6)

Throughout the course, the student will explore Tableau and/or ArcGIS and perform certain tasks that are related to the readings of the assigned Module: Week. This will give the student adequate practice time to become familiar with the software, develop multiple data visualization products, and perform analysis of spatial data. Where, applicable, any sources used throughout the assignments must be cited in current AMA style. (CLO: B, C, D, E, & F)

Practice: Halloween Data Visualization Assignment

This assignment will assess the student’s ability to interpret a data table and select and create the most appropriate data visualization to represent the information derived from the data. The student will create 2 separate data visualizations with Tableau Desktop to present data provided on trick-or-treaters in Cincinnati, OH. The student should apply Shaffer’s 4 C’s to the 2 data visualizations. The student will also create a Word document and write a 1 sentence goal for each visualization, and answer additional questions on the data in 1-2 sentences. The student must submit both the Tableau and Word document into Canvas to receive full credit. 

Practice: Tableau Data Visualizations Assignment

Using the “Superstore” dataset provided through Tableau, the student will create the 8 required data visualizations. The first 6 data visualizations must be saved in 1 Tableau packaged workbook. The last 2 data visualizations must be saved as separate Tableau packaged workbooks. The student will also create a Word document and interpret the data/findings of the 8 visualizations in 1-2 sentences for each visualization. The student must submit the 3 Tableau packaged workbooks and Word document into Canvas to receive full credit.

Practice: Mapping with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro Assignment

This assignment will consist of 2 parts: creating and sharing maps through ArcGIS Online and creating and sharing maps through ArcGIS Pro. Using the provided instructions, the student will create a map through ArcGIS Online and will provide the weblink to their map as completion of Part 1. For Part 2, the student will create a map using ArcGIS Pro, being sure to include a map title, map legend, north arrow, map scale, dynamic text which includes the student’s name and map credits, and a brief description of the map below the legend. This map must be exported and submitted in both PDF and PNG format. Both the weblink for the ArcGIS Online map and the PDF and PNG formats of the ArcGIS Pro map must be submitted into Canvas to receive full credit.

Practice: Mapping with Tableau Assignment

This assignment will give the student the opportunity to create different map types with Tableau. This assignment consists of 3 parts. For part 1, the student will use the “Superstore” dataset available in Tableau to create 4 maps (symbol, filled, density and pie chart map). Each map should be saved as a separate sheet in 1 Tableau workbook. For part 2, the student will use the created maps to answer the provided questions on color scheme. For part 3, the student will analyze the data provided in the maps to answer questions on the findings. The student should reference the specific map and map attributes that led to their findings. Part 2 and Part 3 must be completed in 1 Word document. Both the Tableau workbook and the Word document must be submitted into canvas to receive full credit. 

Practice: Dashboard Design Assignment

This assignment will give the student the opportunity to create a dashboard in Tableau. For this assignment, the student will play 2 roles; the dashboard creator and the audience/end user of the dashboard. First, the student will create a dashboard using the “Superstore” dataset from Tableau, to be saved as a Tableau workbook. After reading the provided resource on effective dashboards, the student will analyze the created dashboard as the primary audience and in a 200-250-words Word document will present at least 2 action steps to improve the dashboard design to suit the needs and interests of their audience. The student must include the provided resource and 1 additional credible source to support their assertions, cited in current AMA format. Both the Tableau workbook and Word document must be submitted into Canvas to receive full credit. 

Practice: Recognizing Patterns in Spatial Data Assignment

This assignment will give the student the opportunity to explore the spatial analysis capabilities of ArcGIS by recreating Dr. John Snow’s cholera outbreak map of 1854 through a heat map. This assignment will consist of 2 parts. For part 1, the student will follow the provided instructions to create a heat map of the 1854 cholera outbreak in the Soho district of London as well as a web app. For part 2, the student will provide a minimum 250 word description of their map including a brief interpretation of the findings and a description of at least 2 advantages to using a heat map over point plotting. While in-text citations are not required (due to software capabilities), the student must utilize at least 1 credible source to support their assertions. A new paragraph below the description should be made to provide the sources used in current AMA format. Finally, the student must publish their web app to “Everyone (Public)” and submit the link to their web app into Canvas. 

Data Visualization Project Assignments (2)

The student will use ArcGIS Pro to create a map and perform spatial analysis of data related to a public health topic chosen from a list on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The assignment will be completed in 2 parts/installments that culminate in the final submission. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, & F)

Data Visualization Project: Dataset Submission Assignment

For this assignment, the student must download a dataset that contains a locational component at the city or state level and explores their chosen topic from the Quiz: Data Visualization Project: Topic Selection in 1 or more variables. The student will submit this dataset for approval for the Data Visualization Project: Final Assignment. The student will then explain in 50-75-words how they intend to analyze the data. The student must include at least 1 study question or research hypothesis, which must include a locational component. The dataset and study question/hypothesis must be approved by the instructor prior to moving onto the Data Visualization Project: Final Assignment.

Data Visualization Project: Final Assignment

For the final installment, the student will utilize their previously downloaded dataset to create a map and perform spatial analysis of the data. The student will utilize ArcGIS Pro to create 1 or more maps related to their chosen topic using the data from the dataset from the Data Visualization Project: Dataset Submission Assignment. The student will perform spatial analysis on their maps to answer their previous study questions/research hypotheses. The student must export the completed map into a PDF file. The student will then discuss their findings in a 450-500 word document, being sure to answer their study questions/research hypotheses. The student must utilize at least 2 other credible sources to confirm or contrast their findings. All citations must be cited in current AMA format. The student must submit the exported PDF map, the entire ArcGIS project, and the Word document into Canvas to receive full credit.

Quiz: Data Visualization Project: Topic Selection

The student will select and submit their topic for the Data Visualization Project: Final Assignment in this quiz. The student will explore the CDC Geospatial Data Resources website to find at least 1 website that includes free downloadable datasets in a health-related topic area of their choice. Once the student has found a viable website, they will choose a specific topic that has been explored using 1 or more variables within the dataset. The student will then answer 2 short answer questions relating to their chosen topic. The student will have 30 minutes and 1 attempt to complete this quiz. (CLO: E)

Quizzes (7)

There will be 7 quizzes in this course. The quizzes will cover the assigned reading from the Learn sections. The first 6 quizzes contain 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions, will be open-book/open-notes, allow for 1 attempt, and will have a time limit of 1 hour. (CLO: B, C, D, E, & F)

The last quiz will be a final and cumulative quiz, which will cover all the Learn items throughout the course. The quiz has 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions, will be open-book/open-notes, allows for 1 attempt, and has a time limit of 2 hours. (CLO: B, C, D, E, & F)