data visualization

1

COMN 2200: Qualitative Inquiry in Communication: Thematic Analysis Assignment

Due Nov 22 by 11:59 pm, Uploaded on Canvs

(100 points available)

Assignment Description: In this assignment, students bring together their work across the quarter, completing a formal written report and data visualization of the findings from their research project. The learning goals of this assignment are honing student conceptual analytic thinking and data visualization skills. Its long-term learning goals are fostering a deep sense of enjoyment and qualitative analysis competency that students will carry with them and use long after this course ends. This assignment is due no later than 11:59 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 22, uploaded to Canvas. (Note: our class will not meet during its regularly scheduled final exam period. In lieu of a final exam, the Thematic Analysis Assignment (including the data visualization) needs to be uploaded by its due date.

At the beginning of this course, you developed a research proposal based on a research question of significance to you and your research participants. After which you conducted and transcribed three research interviews. Since then, you have been working your way through the initial phases of reflexive thematic analysis. Across this time, you have been actively engaging in researcher reflexivity, regularly reporting and reflecting on the progress and process of your research. In this assignment, you pull all of this work together. Drawing upon your transcript data, research journal writing, and Phases 1-3 of data analysis, complete “Phase 4: Developing and reviewing themes” with an accompanying “Data Visualization.” Enjoy the process!

You can think of data visualization as a non-linear representation of the core insight or “finding” your research project that captures the most significant take-away for you and your research participants. The data visualization functions like a conceptual vessel—a synthesizing diagram. This can include a maps, charts, figures, models.

Prior to completing this assignment, you need to do the following:

1. Gather all your research materials:

a. Gather all the reflexive research writing you’ve done for this course in one place (for many of you, this is compiled in your reflexive research journal, for others, you may need to collect various writings you have done in and out of class).

b. Gather your three transcribed and coded interviews

c. Gather the data analysis you have completed for Phases 1-3 (Many of you will find that you can conveniently download these from Canvas: Phase 1: Data Familiarizations Notes, Phase 2: Code Labels with Data Extracts, and Phase 3: Generating Initial Themes)

2. Now you have your research materials collected, you can begin Phase 4: Developing and Reviewing Themes & Phase 5: Refining, Defining, & Naming Themes

a. For detailed instructions, see course Power Point Slide deck “Themes & Data Extracts”

b. Other resources: Chapter 4, TA, and Chapter 5, pp. 133-183 (on selecting data extracts)

3. Complete your Data Visualization

a) Using the knowledge that you have gained about data visualization, create a visual representation to represent your overall analytic framework. How does your thinking fit together? What can visually capture all the pieces of the puzzle? How can you put this into visual form that to “gift wrap” the core finding of your projects for others? This “wrapping” will be at the core of your final oral presentation – It will take center stage. Imagine yourself “unwrapping” your visual for your fellow COMN 2200 classmates and professor – what will BEST help you tell the story of your project and communicate the significance of its findings for you and your research participants?

b) Data Visualization Resources

· -Library GuidesGeneral/InterdisciplinaryInformation Visualization: a) Rd What is Information Visualization; b) Link: Interactive Table of Various Types of Visualizations: Find Periodic Table of Visualization Methods: Hover over & study each as possible resources for your own visualization https://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html#

· -Smart Art in Word (be cautious, when using Smart Art that you are not including design elements that do not advance your overall message or key finding—sometimes less is more)

· Contact  Meg Eastwood, the Science and Engineering Reference Librarian, for a research consultation: https://du.libcal.com/appointments/meg

· Module: Week 9: Data Visualization. See the Past Student Examples of Data Visualizations, and Data Visualization PowerPoint slide deck