Backed by Data: Research

Design a solution to your problem. Research and brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. Be creative and daring. Your first idea doesn’t have to be perfect.

Learn More

Challenge Champion Alex Velez describes her background and pathway to becoming a data storyteller.

Helpful Resources

Explore these digital resources to learn more about the factors that can influence and guide the design of your product.

Understand the Problem

How can we tell accurate and compelling stories using data? 

• Harvard Business School: Business Insights – Data Storytelling:  How to Effectively Tell a Story with Data
• 3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Creating Data Visualizations
• Turning Bad Charts into Compelling Data Stories | Dominic Bohan | TEDxYouth@Singapore
• Visualizing data leads to better local decisions | Stephen Sills | TEDxGreensboro

How can we ensure that our stories are accurately representing the data?

Use these resources to ensure that you are using quality data and that your data visualization does not misrepresent the data.

• How to Identify Reliable Information
• How to Avoid Creating Misleading Representations

How can we find the data we need to tell our story?

Use these resources to find real-world data sets that you can use in your investigations.

• Datasets from North Carolina State University
• Data Sets from the U.S. Government 
• Data Sets from Data.world (requires users to sign-up for free access)

Ways scientists and entrepreneurs are currently addressing the problem

How can we tell compelling stories with data in a new way?

Use these resources to explore how entrepreneurs, scientists, journalists, and story tellers are working to investigate popular narratives and tell compelling stories with data.  

• ArcGIS StoryMaps Gallery
• Media Coverage of Missing Persons
• Bias in the Make-up Industry 
• GAPMINDER:  Take the Quiz, Explore the Resources Tab

What does entrepreneurship have to do with being an influencer?

Use these resources to learn more about what it takes to build your brand and expand your reach as a social media influencer. 

• Influencers: The Modern Entrepreneur 
• Expanding your Reach through Public Speaking

Business Models

• Business Model Types

Math Resource

Use the following resources to learn or review key mathematics concepts that are essential for building your solution.

The Telling your Data Story document will help you focus your statistical investigation and tell compelling stories that are backed by data. 

• Telling Your Data Story (click here for an editable Word Doc version)

Think About It

 

After reading through the helpful resources, what ideas do you have for your solution?

What problem will you solve with your business solution?