Abstract
Background
As access to open data is increasing, researchers gain the opportunity to build integrated datasets and to conduct more powerful statistical analyses. However, using open access data presents challenges for researchers in understanding the data. Visuals allow researchers to address these challenges by facilitating a greater understanding of the information available.
Objectives
This paper illustrates how visuals can address the challenges that researchers face when using open access data, such as: (1) becoming familiar with the data, (2) identifying patterns and trends within the data, and (3) determining how to integrate data from multiple studies.
Method
This paper uses data from an integrative data analysis study that combined data from prospective studies of children’s responses to four natural disasters: Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Ike. The integrated dataset assessed hurricane exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, social support, and life events among 1707 participants (53.61% female). The children’s ages ranged from 7 to 16 years (M = 9.61, SD = 1.60).
Results
Visuals serve as an effective method for understanding new and unfamiliar datasets.
Conclusions
In response to the growth of open access data, researchers must develop the skills necessary to create informative visuals. Most research-based graduate programs do not require programming-based courses for graduation. More opportunities for training in programming languages need to be offered so that future researchers are better prepared to understand new data. This paper discusses implications of current graduate course requirements and standard journal practices on how researchers visualize data.
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Funding
This study was funded through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (1R03MH113849-01). Research time for this paper was partially supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. 1634234. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Science Foundation.
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Shah, H.J., Lai, B.S., Leroux, A.J. et al. Understanding Open Access Data Using Visuals: Integrating Prospective Studies of Children’s Responses to Natural Disasters. Child Youth Care Forum 48, 563–583 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-019-09496-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-019-09496-7