Before I begin to discuss what the data visualization provides I want to discuss why Tableau was the best tool to analyze this data. I began by trying to input the data into the RAW web program but I ran into the issue that the software more useful in mapping correlation on single cases rather than then compare changes over time. This is when I realized that the right program to represent this data was Tableau for its flexibility on portraying data.
From the Tableau program was able to plot the two sets of data against each other. We looked at the data from two different markets and compared them over time. There are a couple of advantages of being able to compare the data visually as opposed to mathematically on an excel sheet. To begin with, when the data is represented visually one can see trends without having to think about the changes. This allows for people who are viewing the data to be able to think about the implications that the data may show instead of having to think about what the trends are. Also the changes in the graphs are easier to note when portrayed accurately. In class we discussed ways in which some data can be presented certain ways in order to create certain effects that may fool the observer.
What the data shows as opposed to the excel is that there is general consistency between the DIJA and the S&P. This could help in the field of economics in the way that one understands the economy is consistent amongst most companies. There is not one set of companies that constantly out perform all others but rather there is a economic trends that effect an entire country all at once. With excel sheets, the similarities can also be observed but not with the same amount of clarity. There is a small difference in between both data sets which is that in general S&P chart at times does better than the Dija but they tend to continuously fall back into equilibrium. This might be harder to see if one was to look at just once data point. One might assume that the S&P is more successful than the Dija but with a visual representation of the data over time, one can see that in reality the two markets are basically the same in terms of performance over time.