Accessible and Interactive: New Methods of Data Visualization as Tools for Data Analysis and Information Sharing in Transitional Justice Research

Abstract

The production and use of datasets is a growing area in transitional justice research. One constant limitation, however, is the way this data is visualized. Relying only on static graphics and tables, many of these datasets are insufficiently explored and analyzed, and remain inaccessible for other researchers. Interactive data visualization tools are an ideal method for overcoming this gap. They are able to adequately present a wide range of quantitative and qualitative datatypes, such as geographic, temporal, network, and text data, and their interactive functions allow for a better exploration and understanding of the data. This article examines the visualization needs of transitional justice research, and demonstrates how interactive visualization can facilitate data analysis as well as information sharing. Presenting selected tools for different data types, the article provides hands-on methodological examples for effective handling of 1 The opinions presented in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the views and positions of their respective organisations. Tim Rosenkranz and Alexandre Jaillon 126 Transitional Justice Review, Vol.1, Iss.4, 2016, 125-186 transitional justice data using, for example, GIS mapping, Google Motion Charts, and Word Trees. Introduction In recent years, the use of quantitative data in transitional justice and its related fields has significantly advanced, a development that will most likely continue in the near future. This has triggered the production of quantitative and qualitative datasets in this field and furthered data-based arguments on some of the current key debates. One major limitation so far has been the way results and their related data have been made accessible. From animated graphs and multilayer data visualization to interactive mapping tools, many powerful methods are available to enhance the accessibility of datasets for both data analysis as well as result presentation. However, most publications are not taking full advantage of the potential of data visualization. This has left high quality research under the radar of many scientists and practitioners, and has caused an increasingly potent analytic research tool to be ignored. Today, the common perception of data visualization is as a tool used exclusively for quantitative datasets and primarily for result presentation. This view is long outdated. Animated interactive tools can increasingly be used to present both quantitative and qualitative data, making this technology particularly suitable for social science research. Furthermore, the initial visualization of datasets has become an essential tool of data exploration and analysis. Moreover, in light of the growing importance of ‘big data’ in data mining approaches, 2 One example for this is the Transitional Justice Research Collaborative: https://transitionaljusticedata.com/. Having produced a very impressive dataset, the statistical results are presented in static graphics and the dataset itself can be accessed only as a whole or by selecting individual countries. Both visualisation and access could be improved using interactive visualisations, as will be exemplified