“The Myth of the Criminal Immigrant” by Anna Flagg

  • “In general, the study’s data suggests either that immigration has the effect of reducing average crime, or that there is simply no relationship between the two, and that the 54 areas in the study where both grew were instances of coincidence,not cause and effect. This was a consistent pattern in each decade from 1980 to 2016, with immigrant populations and crime failing to grow together.”
    • This article made me think of Correlation and Causation, and the relationship between the two. While a correlation of two sets of data can be connected, this does not always mean causation. I remember one math class I took previously where we analyzed two correlating sets of data on graphs, and discussed the reality of the two actually being connected. For example, one graph used a line chart to graph the number of people who drown in swimming pools annually, and the other line graphed the number of films Nicholas Cage appeared in each year. While the lines do correlate, it is obvious that the number of films Nicholas Cage appears in has no impact on the number of people who drown in pools, or vice versa. It is important to consider the factors that cause both events before assuming that the two are connected.
  • “Immigrant populations in the United States have been growing fast for decades now. Crime in the same period, however, has moved in the opposite direction, with the national rate of violent crime today well below what it was in 1980.”
    • The topic of immigration into the United States has brought up concerns that there would be an increase in crime. However, data and statistics dispute this claim by showing that there has not been a major increase in criminal activity as immigration rates have risen, but rather a decrease.
  • “This analysis is one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies of the local immigrant-crime relationship. It spans decades of metropolitan area data, incorporating places with widely differing social, cultural and economic backgrounds, and a broad range of types of violent crime.”
    • When collecting data to support an argument, it is essential to consider all factors and impacts of the data. Additionally, a  researcher can not select only the data that supports their claims. This would result in a biased graph and inaccurate representation of reality.

“The 34 Best Interactive Data Visualizations from the New York Times” (2/14) by Lauren

“What we think that this chart does really well, though, is adding a legend that makes it super easy to read… Those make it easy to understand this chart without even looking at how the axises are labeled. If your audience isn’t familiar with the type of graph you present, or isn’t data-literate, adding shorthand like this can really help them get the necessary information from your charts.”

  • This chart had small notes added to clarify the data, making it easier for the viewer to understand. A graph that is cluttered and not clearly labeled would not deliver the intended message to viewers.

“Context is everything when you’re trying to understand data, and this graph is a great, interactive way to show the context for Stephen Curry’s killer ‘15-’16.”

  • The title of this graph is “How NBA stars’ Three Pointers Stack Up”. Stephen Curry’s record numbers are clear at first glance. This is a good representation of Stephen Curry’s record numbers during the season

“With charts that aren’t necessarily intuitive for non-data people to read, adding a walkthrough can be a great way to help people interact with your data. But making that tour optional leaves data whizzes free to fly through at their own pace.”

  • The name of this graph is “The Economic Future: The Yield Core”. This graph is presented in two-dimensional and three-dimensional view, with allows more user interactions and a unique display of the data.