Data Aggregation and Exploratory Visualization

Based on the data set described in chapter four, this chapter demonstrates that exploratory data visualization often yields meaningful initial findings, as well as potential correlations among variables that may be explored further with statistics and more innovative visual representations. It also clarifies how to write preliminary research questions based on data and measurement scales and how to select the most appropriate types of visualizations to answer these questions. By describing, summarizing, and analyzing the data through tables and graphs, this chapter provides an overview of data aggregation, presentation, and exploratory visualization. Through exploratory data analysis, it also reveals how the tenure lengths of Constantine’s governors distinguished them from their counterparts in the rest of the empire and prompts new questions for further exploration.