The document provides guidance on finding data, creating charts and infographics. It discusses finding relevant data from government agencies, academics or non-profits. When analyzing data, students should consider the source and potential biases. The document demonstrates how to make charts in Excel or Google Sheets and highlights best practices for infographics like using credible data, simple designs and focusing on a single takeaway message. Students are then instructed to create their own infographic on their topic.

1. Data & Infographics
Nicole Branch, Social Sciences Librarian
Santa Clara University Library
Image courtesy of Flickr user Niels Heidenreich.

2. Today we will…
• Find data about the topic of your brief
• Practice making data charts
• Create an infographic about your topic

3. Why Data?
• Can help understand social/community issues
• Can help explore your topic and prepare your
brief
• Can support understanding needs and concerns
related to your topic
• It’s important

4. Finding Data & Statistics
Think about WHO might collect the data you are
interested and WHO might publish the results.
Government agencies
Non-government organizations
Academic institutions
Private sector

5. Some Data Consideration
Think about if the data/statistics you are looking
for will be made readily available.
Controversial/harmful data
Not broadly applicable data
Lag time for data dissemination
Absence of data

6. Critiquing Data & Data Sources
Who is the source of the data?
Does the source of the data have a
bias/interest in the data and how might this
impact how the data was collected or
analyzed?
What is the sample size and how was the data
collected?
What is the larger context of the data?
Correlations are not causations.

7. Finding Data & Statistics
There are many different places to find data:
Recommended resources
Google (data/statistics + topic)
Your task is to find an interesting piece of data about
your topic.

8. Making Charts In Excel/Google Sheets

9. Infographics
• Visually represent data
• Quick and compelling way to engage others
with data

10. Infographics

11. Less is More
• Focus on one compelling thing you would like
your audience to feel/learn
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

12. Topic is Everything
• Pick a timely but not played out topic
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

13. Data is King
• Use credible/authoritative data
• Let the data drive the design
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

14. Color is Queen
• Think about a color palette
• Thoughtful, cohesive selection of colors
• Not too many
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

15. Simple Design
• Not too crowded
• Not too many elements
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

16. Begin with the end
• Determine the main take-away, and let that
guide your design and data selection
Adapted from Grasshopper Marketing, Infographics Best Practices,
http://grasshoppermarketing.com/infographics-best-practices/

17. Example
Infographic
courtesy of
Fast Company.

18. Example
Infographic
courtesy of
Joshua Chavers.

19. Begin with the end
• Take a minute to determine the main take-
away.
• Then we’ll share.

20. Create your Infographic
• Using one of the recommended design
software products, create an infographic for
your main-takeaway

21. Questions?
Nicole Branch
Sociology Librarian
X5436
nbranch@scu.edu