{"id":16780,"date":"2023-04-17T09:55:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T13:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvsnightingstg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=16780"},"modified":"2023-04-17T09:55:44","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T13:55:44","slug":"data-exploration-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nightingaledvs.com\/data-exploration-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"Step 5 in the Data Exploration Journey: The Magic of Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article is part VI in a series on data exploration, and the common struggles that we all face when trying to learn something new. A list of previous entries can be found at the end of the article. I began this series while serving as the Director of Education for the Data Visualization Society, because so many people were asking to hear more about data exploration and the process of learning data vis. The series follows along with an exploratory project on the State of the Industry Survey<\/a> data. It illustrates how I approach a new project, and the fact that no \u201cexpert\u201d is immune from the challenges and setbacks of learning. In addition to working with a new dataset, I also used this project to take my first steps toward learning R. Let\u2019s see where this journey takes us!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After several articles about data exploration and the \u201cexpand\u201d stage of the survey data tools analysis project, the last installment<\/a> identified the first steps of transitioning into the focus phase. After a big, unwieldy exploration process, focus is a time to cut things down, to work on the immediate task at hand, and to move forward on a single, manageable piece with a much tighter scope. <\/p>\n\n\n

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This is also a great time to look for a collaborator, especially if there are core skills that you don\u2019t have. Some people are game for an open-ended collaboration, but I find that most people respond best when you have a clear idea of what you are trying to do. The end of the focus phase is a great time to make the ask. It\u2019s a lot easier for someone to understand whether they\u2019re interested and to set clear expectations for your collaboration when a project is already well-defined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why collaborate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A good collaborator offers companionship and a fresh perspective, and can help balance your skills. They might like something you don\u2019t, or think in ways that feel foreign to you. Or, maybe you\u2019re 100% in sync and it\u2019s just nice to work with someone who likes to work the same way you do. There are many reasons to collaborate: <\/p>\n\n\n\n