Effective Data Visualization The Right Chart for the Right Data

Abstract

When I wrote my first book, I holed myself away at a silent retreat center with no Internet or phone access. I was incredibly productive in that space. This time around, due to the success of the first book, I no longer have a few free days in a row where I can afford to isolate myself. With this book, I’ve had to write it on airplanes, in airport lounges, at coffee shops in new cities, and in hotel rooms. In each of those places, I had massive support from the people in the service industry who so often go underappreciated, but who did so much to make sure my needs were taken care of and I could just write. This book is for the airline stewards, bartenders, baristas, bed and breakfast managers, servers, and cabbies who made my life easier. They are probably the last people who would use anything I have written in these pages. Similarly, this book is for my parents and friends and family who have cooked meals and taken wonderful care of my son and generally made it possible for me to squirrel away in a room with my laptop and some data. As always, I’m ever grateful to the support of my colleagues at Sage, Anna Villarruel and Helen Salmon, as well as the input from generous peer reviewers: David Boyns, California State University at Northridge Thomas Cappaert, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Michael G. Elasmar, Boston University John O. Elliott, The Ohio State University and Ohio Health Research Institute Brian Frederick, Bridgewater State University David Han, University of Texas at San Antonio Daniel Hawes, Kent State University Mindy Hightower King, Indiana University Kamir Kouzekanani, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Jodi F. Paroff, NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Shun-Yung Kevin Wang, University of South Florida—St. Petersburg