Quantitative Reasoning 46:
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Alyssa A. Goodman

Spring 2003
Tu, Th, 1:00-2:30
EXAM GROUP: 15, 16

This course focuses on the insight into quantitative information offered by graphs, tables, charts, maps, and other illustrations. We analyze which of these tools are best for communicating what kinds of data, and why. Ideas about causality, approximation, statistical significance, credibility, and dimensionality will be addressed by analyzing real data, and their display. The data will be drawn from medical, astronomical, social-science, aerospace, financial, and geographic examples. Approximately one-quarter of the course will focus on web and live (e.g. PowerPoint) presentations of data. Much of the course's philosophy is based on the work of Edward Tufte (edwardtufte.com).