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#newsrw: Claire Miller, Media Wales

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John Thompson
John Thompson

Claire Miller's presentation at news:rewired. She discussed census data, with tips on preparing for big data releases.

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Dealing with data – the census
Know what’s coming The ONS publication hub - a good starting point for finding data to use
The Census • Snapshot of what England and Wales looked like on census day 2011 • Estimated 94% of people covered • Starts to become out of date immediately but most detailed information there is • Used by public services to make plans • Data released gradually – getting more geographically detailed
The Census • First country level population • Then key statistics for local authorities • January 30 – output area level – 200 people or 125 homes More detailed = better potential for stories
Preparation is key… To make maps – need shapefiles It takes time to track them down and to get them into Google Fusion Tables – use shpescape.com
…because things go wrong • Shapefile tables with missing items • Maps not loading on pages Easier to iron out problems like this in advance then when trying to analyse/write about data
Know what story you’re looking for Roughly…never quite know what you’re going to get • Look at previous releases in the same series • Look at the higher level details • Make educated guesses – Welsh newspaper therefore the number and location of Welsh speakers is an obvious place to start
Once you have the data Things that might make a story: • The biggest, the highest, the most • The smallest, the fewest • Fastest growing • Location • Successes • Failures • Why?
Make it interesting Make it personal – people being able to browse their own area Talk to people who actually live in the areas you are talking about
Make it interesting Make it personal – people being able to browse their own area Talk to people who actually live in the areas you are talking about

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#newsrw: Claire Miller, Media Wales

  • 1. Dealing with data – the census
  • 2. Know what’s coming The ONS publication hub - a good starting point for finding data to use
  • 3. The Census • Snapshot of what England and Wales looked like on census day 2011 • Estimated 94% of people covered • Starts to become out of date immediately but most detailed information there is • Used by public services to make plans • Data released gradually – getting more geographically detailed
  • 4. The Census • First country level population • Then key statistics for local authorities • January 30 – output area level – 200 people or 125 homes More detailed = better potential for stories
  • 5. Preparation is key… To make maps – need shapefiles It takes time to track them down and to get them into Google Fusion Tables – use shpescape.com
  • 6. …because things go wrong • Shapefile tables with missing items • Maps not loading on pages Easier to iron out problems like this in advance then when trying to analyse/write about data
  • 7. Know what story you’re looking for Roughly…never quite know what you’re going to get • Look at previous releases in the same series • Look at the higher level details • Make educated guesses – Welsh newspaper therefore the number and location of Welsh speakers is an obvious place to start
  • 8. Once you have the data Things that might make a story: • The biggest, the highest, the most • The smallest, the fewest • Fastest growing • Location • Successes • Failures • Why?
  • 9. Make it interesting Make it personal – people being able to browse their own area Talk to people who actually live in the areas you are talking about
  • 10. Make it interesting Make it personal – people being able to browse their own area Talk to people who actually live in the areas you are talking about