ABSTRACT
Effectively and concisely communicating results is central to good research. Graphics, maps, and visualizations can be convincing tools in development research because they allow powerful points to be concisely communicated to both professionals and nonexperts. This chapter begins with two stories that highlight some of the impacts that visualizations of research can have. It then moves to a discussion of core considerations to reflect on when creating visualizations. Your positionalitity as a researcher, the audiencing of the work, a reflection on bias and absences, as well as embedded assumptions and best practices are all discussed within the context of visualizing research results. The chapter then considers how inputs can be used, some of the most important tools that can be employed and the range of outputs that can be created. This chapter will be useful for anyone seeking an overview of how graphics might be useful in their work and seeking guidance on how to start making their own visualizations. Chapter 13 covered some of the important ways in which we map spatial data, so readers may also want to consult that chapter if they are working with geographic information.
