LibGuides: Data Analytics and Visualization Software: Home

Data Capture

Qualtrics
Qualtrics is an online survey tool available for Duke users through a university-wide site license. Create an account using your NetID. customizable templates, question banks, and a survey builder guide. Many in the Med Library use this product regularly and can assist patrons. Duke CIT, also, provides office hours for help in using this tool. Go to http://tinyurl.com/n42qn5c for more info.
(Secure) ONLINE *Effort to learn: *Low
RedCap
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. It is HIPAA compliant. Data easily downloads to Excel, PDF, and common statistical packages (SPSS, SAS, Stata, R). Recommended and available via Duke OIT.
(Secure) ONLINE *Effort to learn: *Low to Medium
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DOCR provides one-on-one assistance. Email redcap-docr@duke.edu to indicate which of the following times you would like a DOCR team member to schedule a WebEx with you: Tues or Wed 10am-11am, Thurs 2pm-3pm, Fri 10am-11am

Data Creation and Analysis

Excel
The most familiar tool for data analysis. Excel is useful for sorting and preparing your data, however the out-of-the-box charts and visualizations are dull without customization. Users can export charts from Excel and use them as a starting point in Illustrator or Inkscape.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Low
IBM SPSS Statistics
IBM SPSS Statistics is a statistical software program for conducting analysis that also offers a convenient user interface for generating charts and graphs which are highly customization with menu-driven interface.
NVIVO
Qualitative statistical analysis software which imports Excel datasets. Create charts, concept maps, project maps, and word/code clouds. Works best on Windows machines, all users in a single group must use the Windows version.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium
Stata
Uses either menus or command-line interface. Capabilities include data management, statistical analysis, graphics, simulations, regression analysis (linear and multiple), and custom programming. Robust support for complex sample surveys. Not good for very large datasets; holds one dataset at a time.
SAS
SAS Analytics provide an integrated environment for predictive and descriptive modeling, data mining, text analytics, forecasting, optimization, simulation, experimental design and more. Powerful software suite, suitable for complex data sets. Steep learning curve, but good documentation and help files.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium/High
RStudio
R Studio is an open source integrated development environment (IDE) for R. R is ideal for users interesting in working with code, and boasts a robust online user community.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *High
R
R is an open-source statistical analysis with several visualization packages available for download. Requires some programming. R is ideal for users interesting in working with code, and boasts a robust online user community. Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *High
Python
Python is a programming language which is useful for cleaning up data, analysis, and also has visualization capabilities. It is a relatively simple language to learn, but takes effort for a beginner.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *High

Graphing Data

Google Charts
Easily create and embed a variety of charts into your website using javascript. Also create charts from within Google Spreadsheets. Use Google Code Playground to customize the charts beyond what's possible in spreadsheets.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Plot.ly
Online graphing and stats tools for individuals and collaborators, as well as scientific graphing libraries for Python, R, MATLAB, Perl, Julia, Arduino, and REST. Community accounts are free.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Google Fusion
Create a variety of charts and maps. Use Google Fusion with Google Spreadsheets for a seamless workflow or upload a dataset. Collaborate with peers and publish your visualizations to the web using a link or embed code.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
GraphPad
Combines scientific graphing, comprehensive curve fitting (nonlinear regression), understandable statistics, and data organization. Offers a graphical user interface (GUI) making it idea for users who do not want to work with code.
JMP
JMP is easy to use, by linking statistics with graphics for interactive exploring to better understand and visualize data.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium to High
Tableau
Create fast and easy interactive visualizations. Tableau Public is free but users are not able to make their data private unless upgrading to Tableau Desktop and must save visualizations to the web. Students get Tableau Desktop free for one year by signing up with their Duke email accounts.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium to High

Data Handling and Cleanup

Excel
The most familiar tool for data analysis. Excel is useful for sorting and preparing your data, however the out-of-the-box charts and visualizations are dull without customization. Users can export charts from Excel and use them as a starting point in Illustrator or Inkscape.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Low
Access
Query based data wrangler. It is easy to transfer Excel data into Access. Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium
Open Refine
Open Refine (previously Google Refine) is a data cleaning software that uses your web browser as an interface. This means it will look like it runs on the internet but all your data remains on your machine and you do not need internet connection to work with it. It is built for large datasets.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium
Trifacta Wrangler
Created by Stanford/Berkley, Wrangler is an interactive tool for data cleaning and transformation.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium
Python
Python is a programming language which is useful for cleaning up data, analysis, and also has visualization capabilities. It is a relatively simple language to learn, but takes effort for a beginner.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *High

Visualization Tools

Excel
Excel: The main campus library's Data Visualization Department has created a page dedicated to learning how to use Excel for visualization. The Medical Library also has a book available for in-house use. Inquire at the Service Desk. The above link will take you to that page.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Low
Tableau
Tableau Public: Create fast and easy interactive visualizations with Tableau Public. Tableau Public is free but users are not able to make their data private and must save their visualizations to the web. To make data private, users have to upgrade to Tableau Desktop. Students can get Tableau Desktop for free for one year by signing up with their .edu email accounts.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium to High
Gephi
Gephi is a free, open-source network analysis and visualization program. Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Medium
RAWGraphs
Raw is an easy-to-use open web app for creating visualizations using D3.js. *ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Venngage
Create graphics and infographic with this free online tool.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
PiktoChart
Easy to use free infographic creation tool.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Canva
Canva can be used for anything from infographics, brochures, graphs, VENN diagrams, and also can be used as a photo editor. Free.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Visme
Create presentations and infographics for free with Visme.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
ColorBrewer
Free online map creation tool.
*ONLINE Effort to learn: *Low
Datavisualization.ch
Datavisualization.ch provides a useful compilation of free data visualization web tools and ideas for creations.
Data Visualisation Catalogue helps you select an appropriate chart type and provides links to tools.
Visualizing Data
An interactive navigable database of over 300 tools, applications and programs to assist in creating and to give inspiration for creators.
Chart JS
Although armed with only six chart types, open source library Chart.js is the perfect data visualization tool for hobbies and small projects. Using HTML 5 canvas elements to render charts, Chart.js creates responsive, flat designs, and is quickly becoming one of the most poplar open-source charting libraries.

Use Rate My Visualization to make sure you have strip unnecessary clutter and add appropriate emphasis to make your data story shine.

Rate My Visualization
Rating tool with free resources to enhance visualizations.

Graphics and Drawing

Inkscape

An open-source vector graphics editor. Free alternative to Illustrator.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn: *Low

Gimp

An open-source image retouching tool. Free alternative to Photoshop.
Installed On Data Stations *Effort to learn:*Low

Tiki-Toki

A free, interactive timeline tool, best for illustrating information that spans over a period of time. Design stunning, interactive timelines by embedding images, videos, and web links. *ONLINE Effort to learn:*Low

Noun Project

Website with millions of free icons to be used for anything.>

Better Figures
Tool for choosing a color scale for scientific graphics.

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