1.2.

3 Data Exploration

Title: Data Exploration Approach: Activity

Summary: Students will explore different types of graphs used in data visualization and will
be able to find trends and patterns out of it.

Learning Objectives:
● Students will explore various types of graphical representations.
● Students will learn how to visualize the data they have.

Learning Outcomes:
● Recognize different types of graphs used in data visualization.
● Exploring various patterns and trends out of the data explored.

Pre-requisites: Basic computer literacy

Key-concepts: Data Visualization

Let us Recap!

Quiz Time!

1. Which one of the following is the second stage of AI project cycle?

a. Data Exploration
b. Data Acquisition
c. Modelling
d. Problem Scoping
2. Which of the following comes under Problem Scoping?
a. System Mapping
b. 4Ws Canvas
c. Data Features
d. Web scraping
3. Which of the following is not valid for Data Acquisition?
a. Web scraping
b. Surveys
c. Sensors
d. Announcements
4. If an arrow goes from X to Y with a – (minus) sign, it means that
a. If X increases, Y decreases
b. The direction of relation is opposite
c. If X increases, Y increases
d. It is a bi-directional relationship
 5. Which of the following is not a part of the 4Ws Problem Canvas?
a. Who?
b. Why?
c. What?
d. Which?

Let us explore:

Session Preparation
Logistics: For a class of 40 Students. [Group Activity – Groups of 4]
Materials Required:

ITEM QUANTITY
Computers 10

Resources:
Link to visualisation website: https://datavizcatalogue.com/

Purpose: To understand why we do data exploration before jumping straight into training an AI
Model.

Say: “Why do you think we need to explore and visualize data before jumping into the AI model? When
we pick up a library book, we tend to look at the book cover, read the back cover and skim through
the content of the book prior to choosing it as it helps us understand if this book is appropriate for our
needs and interests. Similarly, when we get a set of data in our hands, spending time to explore it will
help get a sense of the trends, relationships and patterns present in the data. It will also help us better
decide on which model/models to use in the subsequent AI Project Cycle stage. We use visualization
as a method because it is much easier to comprehend information quickly and communicate the story
to others.”

Brief:

In this session, we will be exploring various types of Graphs using an online open- sourced website.
Students will learn about various new ways to visualise the data.

When to intervene?

Ask the students to figure out which types of graphs would be suitable for the data features that they
have listed for their problem. Let them take their time in going through each graph and its description
and decide which one suits their needs the best.
In the previous modules, you have set the goal of your project and have also found ways to acquire data.
While acquiring data, you must have noticed that the data is a complex entity – it is full of numbers and if
anyone wants to make some sense out of it, they have to work some patterns out of it. For example, if
you go to the library and pick up a random book, you first try to go through its content quickly by turning
pages and by reading the description before borrowing it for yourself, because it helps you in
understanding if the book is appropriate to your needs and interests or not.
Thus, to analyse the data, you need to visualise it in some user-friendly format so that you can:
● Quickly get a sense of the trends, relationships and patterns contained within the data.
● Define strategy for which model to use at a later stage.
● Communicate the same to others effectively. To visualise data, we can use various types of visual
representations.

Are you aware of visual representations of data? Fill them below:

Bar
Graphs

Visual
Representation
s

As of now, we have a limited knowledge of data visualisation techniques. To explore various

data visualisation techniques, visit this link: https://datavizcatalogue.com/
On this website, you will find various types of graphical representations, flowcharts, hierarchies,
process descriptors, etc. Go through the page and look at various new ways and identify the ones
which interest you the most.
Identify the icons of different graphs:

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
List down 5 new data visualisation techniques which you learnt from https://datavizcatalogue.com

Data Visualisation Technique 1

Name of the
Representation
One-line
Description

How to draw it

Suitable for
which data
type?

Data Visualisation Technique 2

Name of the
Representation
One-line
Description

How to draw it

Suitable for
which data
type?
Data Visualisation Technique 3
Name of the
Representation

One-line
Description

How to draw it

Suitable for
which data
type?

Data Visualisation Technique 4

Name of the
Representation

One-line
Description

How to draw it

Suitable for
which data
type?
 Data Visualisation Technique 5
Name of the
Representation

One-line
Description

How to draw it

Suitable for
which data
type?

Sketchy Graphs

Session Preparation
Logistics: For a class of 40 Students. [Group Activity – Groups of 4]
Materials Required:

ITEM QUANTITY
Chart Paper 10
Sketch-pens 10
Ruler 10
Basic Stationary 10 Sets

Purpose: To know the different visualization techniques and to use the right graph to display the
data.

Say: “In this activity, we are going to sketch graphs! Now that you have explored various types of graphs
and have already chosen the best ones to plot your data features, let us start drawing them out! Select
any two data features and plot their graphs on the chart paper provided. Make sure that you are able to
relate this graph to the goal of your project. At the end of this activity, you would have to present your
representations to all of us and describe what trends or patterns have you witnessed in it. Your time starts
now!”
Let us now look at the scoped Problem statement and the data features identified for achieving the goal
of your project. Try looking for the data required for your project from reliable and authentic resources.
If you are not able to find data online, try using other methods of acquiring the data (as discussed in the
Data Acquisition stage).
Once you have acquired the data, you need to visualise it. Under the sketchy graphs activity, you will
visualise your collected data in a graphical format for better understanding.

For this, select one of the representations from the link or choose the ones which you already know. The
basis of your selection should be the data feature which you want you to visualise in that particular
representation. Do this for all the data features you have for the problem you have scoped. Let us answer
the following questions for a better understanding:

1. Which data feature are you going to represent?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which representation are you going to use for this data feature? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now, let’s start drawing visual representations for all the Data features extracted, and try to find a pattern
or a trend from it.

For example, if the problem statement is: How can we predict whether a song makes it to the billboard
top 10?

We would require data features like: Current trends of music, genre of music, tempo of music, duration of
song, popularity of a singer, etc.
Now to analyse a pattern, we can say that the popularity of the singer would directly have an effect on
the output of the system. Thus, we would plot a graph showing the popularity of various singers and the
one who is most popular has the maximum chance of getting to the billboard. In this way, the graphical
representation helps us understand the trends and patterns out of the data collected and to design a
strategy around them for achieving the goal of the project.
Do it yourself:
Take a chart paper and start representing your data features in various types of graphs. After completing
this exercise, present your work to your friends and explain to them the trends and patterns you have
observed in it.
List down the trends you might have observed in your representations below:
1. __________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

6. __________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Revision Time

1. What is the significance of Data Exploration after you have acquired the data for the problem
scoped? Explain with examples.
2. What do you think is the relevance of Data Visualization in Al?
3. List any five graphs used for data visualization.
4. How is Data Exploration different from Data Acquisition?
5. Use an example to explain at least one Data Visualization technique.