Homework assignments

Assignments will be posted here.

Try R Markdown

Try to write your report using R Markdown. The advantage is that R code chunks written inline are executed when you make the html file.

An example using R Markdown is found here. Save example files to a folder on your hard disk and then open with RStudio. To render it, click “Knit” at the top of the Source file pane in RStudio.

Email the TA for the course if you have questions.

Assignment 1: Improve a graph

This assignment is due Feb 6 at 5 pm.

Find a bad graph drawn from data and published by your thesis supervisor. If your supervisor is flawless, pick another published graph, eg from a paper published from your lab or department. Come talk to us if you are having trouble with this step.
Students from the same lab: don’t choose the same or very similar graphs.
It is important that you choose a graph that requires significant improvement. Too little improvement means we can’t assign many marks.
In your report, explain the original study, what the data are and the goal of the study.
Analyze the bad graph. What is its goal? Explain what patterns the graph was intended to show. Explain why you think it is not successful. Explain the flaws in the graph. How does it fall short?
Make a new graph using principles of effective display. Try to obtain and make use of the raw data, otherwise extract them from the graph or simulate raw data. Use R to make the graph.
While we recognize that coding is all-absorbing, don’t lose sight of the real aim of this assignment, which is to analyze and improve visual displays following the principles we have discussed. Review recommendations made in lectures and workshops.
Analyze your new graph. Why is it an improvement? Remind us of the goal of the graph. Explain how your improvements achieve the goal more effectively than the original. Explain why your graph succeeds.
Append your R script at the end (or submit your document in R Markdown, which combines text and R code).
If you used an AI, include an acknowledgement at the end that explains how you used it.
Email paper to both me and Lucia as a single .pdf file: LASTNAME.FIRSTNAME.ASSIGNMENT1.PDF
Grade will be based on: the quality of your analysis of the original graph; the magnitude of improvement of the new graph; your interpretation of it and explanation of how it is improved; the quality of your R script.