The University of Sydney Page 1
QBUS6860
Visual Data Analytics
Group Project 1
Dr Demetris Christodoulou
Discipline of Accounting
MEAFA Research Group
http://sydney.edu.au/business/research/meafa
The University of Sydney Page 2
Group Project 1
o The topic of Group Project 1 is related to the COVID-19 pandemic,
and specifically to the question of why different countries
experience so vastly different death rates (i.e. the number of
fatalities to the number of those infected by the virus).
o For example, as at 13 April 2020, at the bottom-end of death
rates we have Australia with 0.95%, Japan 1.44% of deaths, South
Korea 2.03%, Germany 2.29%, Canada 2.93%, USA 3.96%, and
China 4.02%.
o On the top-end of death rates, we have Spain with 10.22%,
Netherlands with 10.69%, France with 10.78%, Belgium with
12.14%, UK 12.47%, and Italy with 12.72%.
o These are the world’s economic powerhouses, all with comprehensive
health systems, yet the differences in death rates are striking. Why
are they so vastly different?
The University of Sydney Page 3
Group Project 1
o The Group Project requires you to produce an interactive dashboard
that answers the Graph Objective: “The country-specific determinants
of death rates by COVID-19”
o To calculate the death rates, you are required to use the data
provided by the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource
Centre. There, you can also see a useful dashboard visualising the
pandemic spread: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
o The note do the dashboard gives you the GItHub link for the dataset.
This data can get you started in calculating the death rates
The University of Sydney Page 4
Group Project 1
o However, to answer the Graph Objective, the calculation and analysis
of just death rates is not enough
o You must conduct additional research to find out the determinants of
the varying death rates by country. For example, why in Japan
where the virus spread early has only 1.44% of deaths, but
Netherland’s death rate is ten times higher?
o You must act as a data analyst and discover additional data that
would complement the already provided data by John Hopkins
University that could explain the differential death rates. That is, you
must condition the visual analysis on the determinants of death rates
o Hint: there is more than one determinant factor. It is not enough to
talk about only one factor. A single factor cannot explain the
differential death rates.
The University of Sydney Page 5
Group Project 1
o The Group Project 1 will test everything that you have learned
from Week 1 to 6 inclusive. This includes:
– Adherence to graph qualities
– Data management, reporting on DGP and data validation
– Appropriate application of visual implantations
– Appropriate use of retinal variables
– Complete graph identification
– Appropriate use of graph enhancement tools
– Dashboard creation
o You will also be evaluated on your ability to work as a data
analyst, use critical thinking, and discover and analyse relevant data
o You must submit a maximum 5-page PDF or Word report including
an exported image of the dashboard, plus the Tableau TWBX file,
and the data file in CSV or XLSX