Elizabeth Burns “1940 Alien Registration Forms” National Archives History Hub

El Paso Data Visualizations

For this assignment, you’ll use our class dataset to make two data visualizations:

1. a bar chart or histogram for one variable
2. a table looking at the relationship between two variables (with percentages)

These data visualizations must Each:

• Answer an interesting and important historical question using our El Paso Alien Registration Forms dataset as your source. 
• Demonstrate your use of graphic design to emphasize your main data story.
• Demonstrate your strong research design in your choice of variables and statistical technique to address your research question
• Present an appropriate visualization type for your argument
• Include a concise and descriptive title that explains your key finding
• Include appropriate use of key, axis, and data labels
• Be attractive and accessible through your thoughtful use of color, scale, balance, and font
• Be transparent (visualization design is not misleading in its use of scale, measurement, etc.)
• Include a data source citation including the size of your sample, and the statistical significance of your findings. 

El Paso Project Memo Specifications

Your project memo should address the following questions in at least one well-developed paragraph each.

• Paragraph 1: What research question did you answer with data visualization #1 (your bar chart or histogram)?  Why was this a good question to investigate by looking at frequency?
• Paragraph 2:  What take-away message did you most want to communicate in your data visualization #1?  How do your design choices show your attention to effective graphic design and data storytelling?  (Be very specific.). How effective do you think your work is?
• Paragraph 3: For data visualization #2 (your table), what two variables did you select?  Why exactly did you pick these to examine together?  What did you learn from this analysis?
• Paragraph 4:  What take-away message did you most want to communicate in data visualization #2?  How do your design choices show your attention to effective graphic design and data storytelling?  (Be very specific.) How effective do you think your work is?
• Paragraph 5: What are three important limitations of our Alien Registration Form data set? In other words, what do you need to kind in mind if you use this evidence to interpret the past?
• Paragraph 6: What were the most challenging things in creating these data visualizations? How did you address them? How will you apply what you’ve learned completing this project to your independent ACS project later in the semester?

This assignment is worth 50 points.  You’ll upload your two visualizations to Moodle, and pick one to share on our collaborative Google slideshow (linked from Moodle) any time before class on Monday, February 27.  Come to class prepared to talk (briefly) about your research question, the statistical analysis you performed, and how you’re using graphic design to strengthen your communication. 

Project Rubric

Criteria	Needs Development	Satisfactory	Good	Excellent
QL& Research Design	Significant issues with choice of variables and/or use of quantitative analysis.	Student picks appropriate variables and demonstrates their QL in creating the two data visualizations.	Clear, logical justification of their research design and employment of quantitative historical analysis.	Insightful choice of variables to ask a historically significant question using our dataset. Demonstration of QL in analysis and communication
Persuasive Data Story: Histogram	More work is needed to clearly communicate your findings	Data Viz formatting shows some attention to design + visual communication of quantitative information.	Clear attention to design and layout: effective communication.	Visually appealing, creative use of design to convey your quantitative data.
Persuasive Data Story: Table	More work is needed to clearly communicate your findings	Data Viz formatting shows some attention to design + visual communication of quantitative information.	Clear attention to design and layout: effective communication.	Visually appealing, creative use of design to convey your quantitative data.
Project memo that explains your approach, design choices, and reflections for future projects	No memo, or memo need development to communicate your approach.	Student briefly addresses all required questions.	Good consideration of key process and approach questions, supported by specific examples.	Thoughtful, open reflection of your approach, application of design principles, and how you approached challenges. Good use of examples.
Data Viz Showcase	No slide / presentation	Explanation of your work but could benefit from more preparation or organization.	Good introduction to your work: clear and easy to follow.	Clear and persuasive. Good volume, logical discussion.