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Data Visualization Services

Graduate Student Data Visualization Award

 

The University of South Carolina Libraries is pleased to once again sponsor the 2nd Annual Graduate Student Data Visualization Award competition. Entries will be accepted any time between October 7, 2024 and January 10, 2025. Judging will take place between January 13-Feburary 7, 2025 with the award(s) being announced and presented during Love Data Week 2025 (Valentine's Day week). First place may receive up to $1000 with second and third place awards possible.

This competition is designed to:

  • Highlight research by current University of South Carolina graduate students.
  • Celebrate excellence using data visualization to encourage and enhance knowledge explanation and comprehension.
  • Promote data literacy and effective data visualization creation and presentation.
  • Encourage awareness of data literacy services and resources provided by the University Libraries.

The Graduate Student Data Visualization Award offers USC graduate students the opportunity to show off their skills using data visualization in their research.  

Ways We Can Assist

We offer regularly scheduled online learning sessions each semester covering various aspects of data visualization. We cover

  • General data visualization knowledge, concepts, and considerations
  • Principles for selecting appropriate data visualization types and tools
  • Basic introductions to use of data visualization tools such a Microsoft Excel, Tableau Public, Microsoft Power BI, and scripting languages such as R and Python
  • Basic introduction to visualizing geospatial data using QGIS, and ArcGIS

If you are an instructor that would like to arrange a custom session for your class related to the above listed topics or other data visualization aspects, please contact us to discuss the possibilities. 

  • We offer guidance to discover information about data visualization
  • We assist with finding online information and tutorials about data visualization and data visualization tools
  • We can work with you to help you decide on appropriate and effective visualization techniques
  • We can help you consider, compare, and determine which tool(s) to use

The University Libraries DataLab is located on the fifth floor of Thomas Cooper Library near the stairway. The space is available on a first come first serve basis where you can find three high-powered, Windows-based computers. Each computer has a variety of data visualization and data analysis software installed. In addition, there is a small seminar table with an 80" large-screen monitor. 

Data Analysis Software Assistance

Assistance with data analysis and statistics software

The University Libraries is pleased to offer support for exploratory data analysis and statistics. This service provides free, one-on-one or small group help with research data. In-person and virtual appointments are available. Although support for qualitative data may be available in some cases, the service primarily helps with quantitative data. Walk-ins to the University Libraries DataLab are welcome but we strongly encourage scheduled appointments to assure the best service. For more information about the data analysis and statistics assistance services and how to register, use the link below: