How data visualization can improve analytical thinking in cross-national crime research

Cross-national criminology is naturally embedded in spatial and historical contexts, but cross-national crime researchers rarely employ data visualization techniques to illustrate relationships built in time and space. In this paper, the author argues that data visualization techniques, if employed following sound principles of analytical design, can facilitate data analysis, causal reasoning, and theoretical development. This paper reanalyzes data from a cross-national analysis of homicide rates in 34 nations from 1956–1998 in order to demonstrate the value of data visualization for cross-national criminology. Using two data visualization techniques – mapping and sparklines – the author argues that how we see the data affects how we think about data. This re-presentation of data shows new patterns that were not apparent in the original analysis and encourages further theoretical thinking. The author concludes that data visualization techniques provide additional tools for cross-national crime researchers to better incorporate space and time in their analyses.