Consulting services are available to help you visualize and present your data and information. This will be most helpful toward the end of your project when your data is complete or mostly complete. We can talk about types of visuals to consider using, composition design, and the best tools to create them. Here are a few types of projects I can help with:
To schedule an appointment please fill out this form and let me know a few days and times that will work for you. Appointments are 45 minutes long unless otherwise specified.
For quick questions you can email me at: Kristin.Florian@uvm.edu
Here are a few free or UVM sponsored data visualization resources to try. This is not an exhaustive list. It was put together based on popularity, usability, and that they are free to use.
Spreadsheets and simple data visualizations
Excel
Excel is mostly a spreadsheet program that can also create simple visualizations. More complex visualizations are also possible with some extra work. Here are available chart types and how to select data to make a chart.
Google Sheets
Google Sheets is similar to Excel and works within the Google platform. Here is a list of graphs and how to make them: Charts and graphs in Google Sheets.
Complex and interactive data visualizations
Tableau
Tableau lets you import and combine data sources for great interactivity. You can build visualizations with a drag and drop interface. Tableau Public allows you to create graphs for free if user/data privacy is not a concern. Instructors and Students can use the full version of Tableau for free for a year. You can get started with Tableau starter kits, preparing your data for Tableau, and pivoting data from columns to rows.
Power BI
The free Power BI version works with Microsoft products like Excel. You can work on projects but not share them with other Power BI users. Here is a tutorial: Getting started with Power BI.
Presentations, posters, and infographics
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is presentation software created by Microsoft. You can create a slide show of important information, charts, and images for a presentation.
BioRender
BioRender has scientific icons and illustrations. It has a drag and drop interface, customization tools, and templates. BioRender is available for UVM and UVMMC staff, faculty, and graduate students. The BioRender free version is available to everyone and allows use of up to 5 figures at a time. Here are BioRender tutorials. *A new BioRender add-in for PowerPoint allows you to update a BioRender illustration from your PowerPoint slide.
Canva, Adobe Express, etc...
There are many free programs to create simple infographs by using a premade template and/or creating your own design elements. Two examples are Canva and Adobe Express.
Coding
R
R is a statistical analysis tool that can also be used to make complex and customizable data visualizations. The primary graphic making package is ggplot2. You can download R and RSTudio.
*To meet with a statistician at UVM and for more information: https://researchguides.uvm.edu/statistical_consulting/main
Python
Python is a general purpose programming language. Popular visualization libraries include Plotly, Seaborn, and more.
Geospatial
ArcGIS
ArcGIS is a geographical information system (GIS) that is used for creating, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data and maps.
*To meet with a GIS specialist at UVM and for more information: https://library.uvm.edu/research/GIS_support
Network graphs
Gephi
Gephi is a network visualization tool. It uses "nodes" and "edges" to show items and their connections. Here are tutorials on how to use it.
VOSviewer
VOSviewer is used for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks. VOSviewer Getting started has a video and instructions. There is also a VOSviewer manual with more detailed instructions.
Research Rabbit
ResearchRabbit is a citation-based literature mapping tool.
