Assignment 3

[katariamonika]

What changes are you trying to make? (e.g. Adding or removing code, refactoring existing code, adding reports)

This pull request adds all required materials for Assignment 3, including two data visualizations created using Python and Excel, written markdown descriptions for each visualization, a dataset reference and complete, commented Python code provided as an appendix. The changes also introduce a dedicated assignment-3/ directory to organize all submission files.

What did you learn from the changes you have made?

I learned how to move from raw open data to publication-ready visualizations, including inspecting dataset structure, selecting appropriate variables, aggregating data meaningfully and applying design and accessibility principles. I also gained experience managing reproducible analysis workflows and organizing project files for GitHub-based submissions.

Was there another approach you were thinking about making? If so, what approach(es) were you thinking of?

An alternative approach considered was creating both visualizations entirely in Python to maintain full reproducibility. However, using Excel for the bar chart was selected to satisfy the assignment requirement of using Python alongside another visualization tool and to demonstrate flexibility in tool choice.

Were there any challenges? If so, what issue(s) did you face? How did you overcome it?

Key challenges included resolving file path issues across nested directories, configuring the Python environment and ensuring that visualizations rendered correctly in markdown on GitHub. These issues were addressed through iterative debugging, use of absolute paths derived from script locations and careful verification of file structure and relative paths.

How were these changes tested?

The Python scripts were executed locally to confirm successful data loading, transformation and image generation. The Excel visualization was reviewed for accuracy and clarity. All markdown files and embedded images were checked using GitHub’s preview to ensure correct rendering.

A reference to a related issue in your repository (if applicable)

Not applicable.

Checklist

• I can confirm that my changes are working as intended

[tianyi21]

Hi Monika,

Thank you for submitting your Vis A3.

✅ You selected a dataset for visualization.
✅ You created effective visualizations with Python and MSExcel.
✅ You explained your considerations when creating the visualization and demonstrated your understanding of visualization tools.

Your A3 is now complete!

Tianyi [LS]