LibGuides: Data Analytics and Visualization: Better Practices for Research

General Research Practices

"What can I do today to create a more inclusive community"?
This document lists specific practices and citations for them that can help create more inclusive communities. The suggestions are targeted towards instructors in computer science, but can be adapted for other fields and for the research environment.

Managing Research Data by Graham Pryor (editor)
Call Number: Q 180.55 .E4 M35
ISBN: 9781856047562
Publication Date: 2012
"Defines what is required to achieve a culture of effective data management, offering practical advice on the skills required, legal and contractual obligations, strategies and management plans and the data management infrastructure of specialists and services."

Open Science Framework

Open Science Framework (OSF) is a free and open-source project management tool and data repository, run by the Center for Open Science.

Its flexible file and contributor structure makes it great for managing individual projects, lab management and protocol storage, and for collaborations. You can link it to services you already use in your projects such as github, Dropbox, or Google Drive, while keeping those documents linked all from one central location easily sharable with collaborators.

OSF has great introductory materials, including written and video tutorials online. If you'd like to contact a Science Librarian or Research Data Specialist about OSF, please visit our OSF Office Hours 12-1pm in BL2104 (in the DAVIS space) or contact us for an appointment.

Tidy data
Hadley Wickham's philosophy (and R code) for tackling messy data
OpenRefine
OpenRefine (formerly Google Refine) is a powerful tool for working with messy data: cleaning it; transforming it from one format into another; and extending it with web services and external data.
Synchronized editing: the future of collaborative writing
"A growing suite of tools allows teams of researchers to work collectively to edit scientific documents."

Visualizations

The visual display of quantitative information by Edward R. Tufte
Call Number: QA 276.3 .T83 1983
Publication Date: 1983
"Theory and practice in the design of data graphics, 250 illustrations of the best (and a few of the worst) statistical graphics, with detailed analysis of how to display data for precise, effective, quick analysis. "
Beautiful Visualization by Julie Steele; Noah Iliinsky
Call Number: TK7882.I6 B427 2010
ISBN: 9781449379865
Publication Date: 2010
"Successful visualizations are beautiful not only for their aesthetic design, but also for elegant layers of detail that efficiently generate insight and new understanding. This book examines the methods of two dozen visualization experts who approach their projects from a variety of perspectives -- as artists, designers, commentators, scientists, analysts, statisticians, and more."

Communicating Your Research and Interpersonal Communication

Writing a Scientific Lab Report
By The Writing Center, at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a detailed guide on how to structure a typical scientific lab report. Consult your professor or TA for your class requirements!
Synthesizing Literature
A short three-minute video (with annotated slides) showing how to synthesize literature.
The Literature Review: A Research Journey
"An introduction to the basics of conducting a literature review in the social sciences, with a focus on education"-- relevant to all subject areas.
OU Writing Center
The OU Writing Center offers assistance to undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with writing. Please visit their website to learn more.
Presentation Consultations
Presentation Consultations offer personalized instruction to students, faculty, or staff experiencing communication apprehension or "stage fright" as well as help with overall presentation design and organization. Presentation coaches work one-on-one or with groups within the OU community from the initial brainstorming all the way through practice delivering presentations.

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda
Call Number: BF 637 .C45 A424 2017
ISBN: 9780812989144
Publication Date: 2017
"The beloved actor shares fascinating and powerful lessons from the science of communication, and teaches readers to improve the way they relate to others using improv games, storytelling, and their own innate mind-reading abilities. With his trademark humor and frankness, Alan Alda explains what makes the out-of-the-box techniques he developed after his years as the host of Scientific American Frontiers so effective." I've taken a few "improv for scientists" and "improv for librarians" workshops and it was fascinating to hear more about how much paying attention to your audience or listener helps communicate complicated ideas!
Lab Dynamics by Carl M. Cohen; Suzanne Cohen
Call Number: Q 180.55 .M3 C63
ISBN: 1936113783
Publication Date: 2012
Despite the intimidating title, this book is full of amazing advice on developing interpersonal skills for any level of scientist. The authors include specific case studies as well as exercises on developing your own self-awareness as a professional and how to interact with other personalities. They close with a discussion of leadership in academia and industry.

Communicating with Empathy
Requires OU 4x4 login via LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). "Empathy at work is crucial to [...] success. When you and your coworkers feel comfortable and confident speaking openly to each other, you're able to develop better relationships. As a result, you feel like you matter and you feel safe enough in your environment to speak up and to allow others to do the same."
Posters on how to design for accessibility
Covers designing for audiences who are autistic, using screen readers, having low vision, having dyslexia, with physical or motor disabilities, who are deaf or hard of hearing, or with anxiety.
Terms that have different meanings for scientists and the public
An infographic from the American Geophysical Union reminding us to remember our audience when wording outreach.
Designing ADA Compliant Online Courses
"Two faculty members recommend easy ways for enhancing student learning online while meeting compliance." Concrete steps to make online courses, and materials in general, ADA compliant and more accessible.

Effective Scientific Writing: An advanced learner's guide to better English by Aleth Bolt; Walter Bruins
Call Number: T 11 .E39
ISBN: 9789086596171
Publication Date: 2013-04-01
Aimed at non-native speakers of English but the clear writing and principles in it should be useful for all researchers.
Learn to Write Badly by Michael Billig
Call Number: H 61.8 .B55 2013
ISBN: 9781107027053
Publication Date: 2013
"Shows how technical terminology is regularly less precise than simpler language." This book uses social science examples but is applicable to all fields and levels of academic writing.
The Craft of Scientific Writing by Michael Alley
Call Number: T 11 .A37 1996 (Reserve at Youngblood and Stacks at NWC Library)
ISBN: 0387947663
Publication Date: 1998
"Using scores of examples from a wide variety of authors and disciplines, the author - himself a writer and physicist -- demonstrates the difference between strong and weak scientific writing, and how to convey ideas to the intended audience."
Scientific writing: thinking in words
Call Number: T 11 .L52864
Publication Date: 2011
Located in the Reference collection.
From Numbers to Words by Susan E. Morgan; Thomas Reichert; Tyler R. Harrison
Call Number: HA 29 .M83165 2002
ISBN: 080133280X
Publication Date: 2001
"An invaluable reference tool that guides readers through drafting the results of quantitative experiments." This book gives social science examples but should be of use to learners and researchers in many scientific fields in learning how to report the results of statistical tests.
Communicating Clearly about Science and Medicine by John Clare
Call Number: Q 223 .C536 2012
ISBN: 9781409440376
Publication Date: 2012
This book "will help you develop and deliver impactful presentations on medical and scientific data and tell a clear, compelling story based on your research findings. It will show you how to develop clear messages and themes, while adhering to the advice attributed to Einstein: 'Make things as simple as possible...but no simpler.'"
Scientific Papers and Presentations by Martha Davis; Kaaron Joann Davis; Marion Dunagan
Call Number: T 11 .D27 2012
ISBN: 9780123847270
Publication Date: 2012-07-30
"Topics include designing visual aids, writing first drafts, reviewing and revising, communicating clearly and concisely, adhering to stylistic principles, presenting data in tables and figures, dealing with ethical and legal issues, and relating science to the lay audience." A detailed reference work for scientific communication.
Clear and Concise Communications for Scientists and Engineers by James G. Speight; Zaleena K. Chin Yuen Kee
ISBN: 1439854793
Publication Date: 2012
"Guides readers through the steps involved in producing a concise and understandable document in various formats." This includes everything from presentations and posters to project reports to professional correspondence (emails, faxes, memoranda, and more). A detailed reference work on professional writing.
Conducting Research Literature Reviews by Arlene Fink
Call Number: Q 180.55 .M4 F56 2014 (Bizzell Reference)
ISBN: 9781452259499
Publication Date: 2013
"Ideal for students, researchers, marketers, planners, and policymakers who design and manage public and private agencies, conduct research studies, and prepare strategic plans and grant proposals, this new edition includes: - Nearly a hundred online examples and references from the social, behavioural, and health sciences [...] Clarification of some of the basic concepts of research that are essential in making judgments about the quality of research methods."

Career and Professional Development

Being a good colleague

"What can I do today to create a more inclusive community"?
This document lists specific practices and citations for them that can help create more inclusive communities. The suggestions are targeted towards instructors in computer science, but can be adapted for other fields and for the research environment.
A sense of belonging matters
"For science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate students from underrepresented groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities and women, a sense of belonging—or lack thereof—can have a concrete effect on a crucial career component: their publication records. "
The Science of Effective Mentorship
"Mentorship is [...] a set of skills that can and should be learned, practiced, and improved upon with self-reflection and feedback. If you are a mentor or mentee yourself, or if you are a leader in your organization responsible for ensuring that your faculty and their mentees have the skills to engage in the most effective mentoring relationships, this website is for you."
Communicating with Empathy
Requires OU 4x4 login via LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). "Empathy at work is crucial to [...] success. When you and your coworkers feel comfortable and confident speaking openly to each other, you're able to develop better relationships. As a result, you feel like you matter and you feel safe enough in your environment to speak up and to allow others to do the same."
How to be an anti-racist teacher
This article is focused towards secondary education but the principles should be applicable to post-secondary teaching as well.
What are pronouns? Why do they matter?
"Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them. [...] Sharing pronouns is a great way to disrupt the normalization and privilege of assumption."
For our white friends desiring to be allies
"Author's Note: I'm writing this in hopes that it can be used to lighten the load of marginalized folks, keeping in mind that not all marginalized people want to engage in the ally conversation, and that is perfect as well. For those who do, my prayer is that when someone asks you the question, “how can I be a stronger ally?” you might choose to save your breath/energy and send this in its place. "
Decolonizing field ecology
"Within the humanities and social sciences, a growing recognition of this issue has led to calls to “decolonize” research practice by interrogating and seeking to move away from European modes of knowledge production (see, e.g., Radcliffe, 2017). While a process of collective reflection on decolonizing has altered the way in which research is planned, conducted, and presented in fields such as human geography and anthropology, the discussion has yet to percolate through the ecological sciences".

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Call Number: E184.A1 K344 2019
ISBN: 9780525509288
Publication Date: 2019
"Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society."

Stress and Mental Health in Graduate School: How Student Empowerment Creates Lasting Change
"This article describes an ongoing initiative of the Department of Chemistry (Chem. Dept.) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) to support the mental health of graduate students. With the increasing pressure on students to carry out novel research, publish articles, learn a broad range of skills, and look for career opportunities, the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among graduate students are on the rise. "
• Maintaining Professionalism In The Age of Black Death Is….A Lot
"We’re biting our tongues, swallowing our rage and fighting back tears to remain professional because expressing that hurt caused by witnessing black death is considered more unprofessional, than black men and women actually being killed. So if you can, please, be mindful. Your black employees are dealing with a lot."
Racism's Psychological Toll
"Williams [...] studies the link between racism and post-traumatic stress disorder, which is known as race-based traumatic stress injury, or the emotional distress a person may feel after encountering racial harassment or hostility. [...] she says race-based stress reactions can be triggered by events that are experienced vicariously, or externally, through a third party — like social media or national news events."
Learning the Unwritten Rules: Working Class Students in Graduate School
"While researchers have begun to examine the experiences of working class students in undergraduate education more closely, we know less about the experiences of working class students in graduate school. Through a nationwide survey of graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Sociology, we examined the extent to which working class students face greater challenges or barriers in completing their degrees compared to their middle class peers."
Microagressions in Medicine
"The first step in addressing implicit biases and microaggressions is to recognize that they exist. Although these experiences may be hard to digest and can elicit a sensation of discomfort or even defensiveness, the feelings of female physicians and physicians who are underrepresented in medicine should be acknowledged. Similarly, we must acknowledge, explore, and address the experiences of disrespect that have been shared by our nursing colleagues." Written about medicine, but the lessons from this article can be applied in many fields.

Career advice

Tips on Emailing a Professor to Ask for a Research Opportunity
Includes a helpful infographic summarizing how to email professors about research opportunities.

Alternative Careers in Science by Cynthia Robbins-Roth (Editor)
Call Number: Q 149 .U5 A66 2006
ISBN: 0125893760
Publication Date: 2005
The book is framed as a guide for graduate students and later, but contains information on career paths useful for any stage of a science major's career, including undergraduates considering their next steps. "Researchers from every branch of science found their way into finance, public relations, consulting, business development, journalism, and more - and thrived there! Each author tells their personal story, including descriptions of their career path, a typical day, where to find information on their job, opportunities to career growth, and more."

Ask an OU Graduate Student
"Ask current graduate students across several Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields questions about graduate school."
Alternative Academic Careers
"Resources for graduate students exploring careers in higher education other than teaching faculty"

The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky
Call Number: HD 6278 .U5 K456 2015
ISBN: 9780553419429
Publication Date: 2015
"Each year only a small percentage of [Ph.D.s] will land a job that justifies and rewards their investment. For every comfortably tenured professor or well-paid former academic, there are countless underpaid and overworked adjuncts, and many more who simply give up in frustration." This book covers both academic and non-academic job searching and career advice for graduate students and postgraduates.
Scientific Research as a Career by Finlay MacRitchie
Call Number: Q 147 .M33 2011
ISBN: 9781439869673
Publication Date: 2011
"A comprehensive "how-to" guide for the aspiring scientist. [...] Based on the author's experience both as a scientist in a research organization and as a university mentor."
Crafting your research future a guide to successful master's and Ph.D. degrees in science & engineering
Publication Date: 2012
E-Book

Career experiences

Why I’ve struggled with the pressure to assimilate when teaching
OU graduate student Montrai Spikes describes his experiences teaching and working as a biology graduate student.
What it's like to be a trans scientist with imposter syndrome
"Small moments of support go a long way in showing the trans community that you see us; you value us; and you’re here for us. Since there aren’t a ton of other trans people in STEM fields, make us feel like we’re a part of the family. It will go a long way into helping us succeed and overcome our own imposter syndrome."
I’m a Black Female Scientist. On My First Day of Work, a Colleague Threatened to Call the Cops on Me.
"Recounts her time as a corporate research scientist at a drug company in western New York—a job she left in 2017 in part because of its toxic culture. Afterward, she went into academia as an assistant professor of biology at a community college, also in western New York, where on her first day a white co-worker threatened to call the police on her. "

Science Librarian

Claire Curry

Email Me

Contact:

Bizzell Memorial Library 236

405-325-5385

Subjects:Biology & Medicine, Environment & Ecology, Geography & GIS, Microbiology & Plant Biology