The Guide to Good Data Use - Examples to get inspired
1. Why are we presenting the data?
Define no more than 5 distinct journalistic reasons for presenting data
Sample justification: We can produce a better interface than government
2. What data should we present?
Detailed data or summary
Issues to consider:
Identities and locations of gun owners
Doctors paid by drug companies
Raw data or cleaned
You find the examples
3. When do we let the data die?
One-off or continuous updates
When should we commit to continuously updating data?
How do we explain to readers the shelf life of our data?
When, if ever, should we purge old data?
4. Who controls the data experience?
Interactive experience or directed
Examples:
Visual model showing cause, effect
Millennials can't afford a home
5. Where should we deliver the data?
Within story text, or as visual element
Standalone page, or embedded story feature
6. How should we present the data?
Do’s and Don’ts
The role of supporting text