Data Visualization for Social and Policy Research: A Step‐by‐Step Approach Using R and PythonJose Manuel MagallanesReyesCambridge University Press, 2022, 292 pages, $105, hardback ISBN: 978‐1‐108‐49433‐5

Abstract

Producing good visualizations combines creativity and technique. This book teaches the techniques and basics to produce a variety of visualizations, allowing readers to communicate data and analyses in a creative and effective way. Visuals for tables, time series, maps, text, and networks are carefully explained and organized, showing how to choose the right plot for the type of data being analyzed and displayed. Examples are drawn from public policy, public safety, education, political tweets, and public health. The presentation proceeds step by step, starting from the basics, in the programming languages R and Python so that readers learn the coding skills while simultaneously becoming familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each visualization. No prior knowledge of either Python or R is required. Code for all the visualizations are available from the book’s web site. social science students understand the value of data visualization, but they are wary of the costs of mastering high-tech approaches. Professor Magallanes is the answer to this problem. This text skillfully articulates a step-by-step guide for using two of the most powerful tools in a data scientist’s toolbox: R and Python. Professor Magallanes has a talent for simplifying the complicated, and honing in on the most important components of telling stories with data. This book is an essential resource for anyone whose regular habits of making graphs involve searching for someone else’s code chunks on the Internet. With this book, we can all stop Googling and start graphing.” unique approach of simultaneously introducing users to computational social science programming in both R and Python. The approach just to a language,’ to learn the key conceptual ideas behind programming and computational social science. data collection and statistical analysis, it absolute pleasure the all-important subject of data visualization in this book countless of a second to share the of the matter, imparting the concepts and social science to communicate complex data relationships. the reader through a wide variety of visualization approaches using a conversational style and systematic approach.” copious drawn