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@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 Esther Roughsedge, Demographic Statistics, NRS Data visualisation
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17
Esther Roughsedge,
Demographic Statistics, NRS
Data visualisation
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
What will I cover?
What we have done + how + tips
Focusing on:
Twitter use Infographics Interactive
visualisations
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Why do this?
We have lots of information and data
• We should maximise their impact by:
reaching a
wider audience
promoting
our messages
• Self-contained
visual stories
• Easy and quick to
understand
• We produce one for
each of our main
publications
Infographics
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17
• Free software
• Vector graphics
software
• Used for creating and
modifying images
• Lots of tutorials online
• Lots of other software
is available
Inkscape
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Alternative types of software
For infographics etc
• Some contain standard, easy-to-use
templates for infographics, e.g. Piktochart
(We create our own templates)
• Statistical data visualisation software e.g.
Tableau
(We create charts in Excel or R)
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Images
Can create or modify images
• Lots of sources are available, e.g:
– Flaticon.com
– Freepik.com
• We import images/charts into Inkscape to
modify, e.g:
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17
Example
Tip: Outline the
story first
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Interactive data visualisations
Allow users to explore / manipulate content
themselves
https://scotland.shinyapps.io/babynames/
Example: Baby names
https://scotland.shinyapps.io/household-projection-variants/
Example: household projections
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
R/Shiny
R-project.org
• R is a free software environment for
statistical computing and graphics.
• R package that enables you to write
interactive web applications entirely in R.
• Lots of other options are available.
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Shiny app hosting (shinyapps.io)
For hosting interactive web applications produced
using R
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Helps reach a wider audience
• In February, @NatRecordsScot had 93,000
page impressions
• Newspaper circulations are falling
– Scotsman print circulation = 23,000
– Herald = 34,000
– Daily Record = 191,000
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17
Examples of NRS tweets
Factual Announcement
Topical
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Twitter tips
To maximise impact
• Tweets act as a ‘hook’
• Keep it simple
• Each tweet should stand alone
• Include a link – Counts as 23 characters
• Hashtags enable users to search Twitter by topic – e.g. #DataFest17
• Look at similar Twitter accounts for ideas
• More advice from GSS Social Media Guidance – bit.ly/2fo3idm
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Including images increases engagement
Images can get truncated on mobile devices
Twitter image
2 x 1
Your image
2 x 4
NRS Twitter
template
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17
If possible
• Include an image
• Ask a question
• Make it personal
@NatRecordsScot #DataFest17 @NatRecordsScot
Contact details
See our work: www.nrscotland.gov.uk
More advice: bit.ly/1y00mp9
(Government Statistical Service)
