Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Saving Lives with Data Visualizations (B...

Batova, Tatiana, A...

Case

Saving Lives with Data Visualizations (B): Charts in the Time of COVID-19

Batova, Tatiana; Adkins, Thomas

BC-0314 | Published September 20, 2024 | 2 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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This is a companion case to “Saving Lives with Data Visualizations (A): Charts in the Time of Cholera,” which has students analyze the work of early data scientists as they confronted cholera outbreaks in 19th-century Europe. This B case has students assess the similarities and differences between the use of data visualizations in the 19th-century cholera outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Special emphasis is placed on audience analysis and matching types of data visualizations with the intended audience to maximize persuasive power. Students are provided with datasets that extensively cover the demographics, preventative measures, and behaviors of the US population. This case is used at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in the elective “Storytelling with Data,” and it would also be suitable in courses covering data visualization or persuasion.

- Understand the needs and data literacy of different audiences (e.g., decision-makers, the general public). - Consider how audience characteristics can change over time. - Explore how chart types can complement data types. - Gain experience creating persuasive data visualizations for decision-makers and the general public.