_This is a draft wiki page that will change frequently!_
Visit the [air-quality-data tag page](https://publiclab.org/tag/air-quality-data) to see the latest community posts about this topic on Public Lab, and receive updates by following: Follow air quality data
## Understanding and preparing air quality data [notes:grid:getting-started-air-quality-data]
### Different kinds of air quality data Becoming familiar with the kind of air quality data you have can help you on the way to figuring out what you eventually want to do with the data. Illustration of people collecting various kinds of air quality data around a city, an industrial facility, and a recreational park _Image: A variety of different kinds and sources of air quality data, by @renee._


**More about different kinds of environmental data (not specific to air quality data):** + β€œ[Kinds of environmental data you might have](https://publiclab.org/wiki/presenting-data#Kinds+of+environmental+data+you+might+have)” on the Presenting Environmental Data wiki page + β€œ[Types of samples](https://publiclab.org/wiki/start-enviro-monitor-study#Types+of+Samples)” and β€œ[Interpreting the data](https://publiclab.org/wiki/start-enviro-monitor-study#Interpreting+the+Data)” on the Start an Environmental Monitoring Study wiki page
_What other questions can help with understanding air quality data? Please [edit this page](https://publiclab.org/wiki/edit/air-quality-data) to add more!_

### Units of measurement Looking closely at units in data can help you understand the scale of your measurements and start thinking about how to communicate that scale so it’s meaningful to other people. a cube representing the volume of carbon dioxide emitted from burning a gallon of gasoline appears next to the silhouette of an adult and child _Image: Illustrating the volume of carbon dioxide emitted from burning one gallon of gasoline. [Carbon Visuals](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonquilt/8228690605/), [CC BY](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)_
**Resources on units of measurement:** + [Common Units in Air, Soil, and Water Testing](https://publiclab.org/notes/kgradow1/12-17-2020/common-units-in-air-soil-and-water-testing): a workshop guide from _[Statistics for Action](https://sfa.terc.edu/materials/activities.html)_ that helps "participants discuss, read, and practice using one or more units of measurement found in environmental science."

### Cleaning and organizing air quality data Putting your air quality data into an organized table gets it ready for making charts, graphs, and other visualizations. Below are some resources on making tables of tidy data and on "cleaning data."
Stylized text providing an overview of Tidy Data. The top reads β€œTidy data is a standard way of mapping the meaning of a dataset to its structure. - Hadley Wickham.” On the left reads β€œIn tidy data: each variable forms a column; each observation forms a row; each cell is a single measurement.” There is an example table on the lower right with columns β€˜id’, β€˜name’ and β€˜color’ with observations for different cats, illustrating tidy data structure.
_Image: Illustrations from the [Openscapes](https://www.openscapes.org/) blog β€œ[Tidy Data for reproducibility, efficiency, and collaboration](https://www.openscapes.org/blog/2020/10/12/tidy-data/)” by Julia Lowndes and Allison Horst, [CC BY](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)_
[wikis:data-cleaning]

## Communicating with air quality data ### Designing a data story Research notes with the tag `data-storytelling` will appear here [notes:grid:data-storytelling]
**More resources on deciding what data to share:** + β€œ[Finding newsworthy data](https://sfa.terc.edu/materials/pdfs/finding_newsworthy_data.pdf)”: workshop activity guide from Statistics for Action.

### Graphs, maps, and more ways to present air quality data Data visualizations like graphs, charts, and maps are a common way to bring numbers to life. And there are also other approaches! Art, zines, non-visual media, and other interactive media can also help you tell a story with your air quality data. We’re collecting resources and examples here of different ways to present air quality data. _Please [edit this page](https://publiclab.org/wiki/edit/air-quality-data) to add more examples and improve this wiki!_
Infographic on what visualizations to choose. Examples are comparing values over time with bar graphs, line graphs, or scatter plots; comparing composition with a dual-axis graph, stacked row graph, or line graph; showing a relationship with a bubble chart, scatter plot, or line graph; showing density or distribution in an area with a map.
_Image: β€œWhich visualizations should I use?” infographic by @renee._
+ See **"[Ways to present environmental data](https://publiclab.org/wiki/presenting-data#Ways+to+present+environmental+data)''** for more examples of ways to show environmental data, both visual and non-visual. + **[Data Viz Project](https://datavizproject.com/)**: this resource isn’t specific to environmental data, but it’s a neat tool that enables you to choose a data visualization by function (e.g., trend over time, comparison) or raw data input type.
Screenshot from the Data Viz Project website showing an array of different data visualizations.
_Image: The [Data Viz Project](https://datavizproject.com/about/) is a comprehensive online tool cataloging examples of data visualizations. Ferdio design firm, CC BY NC ND._


### Tools for making visualizations and other media [notes:grid:data-visualization-tool]

### Sharing and taking action with air quality data * **Real-Time Online Charts and Maps**: Great to visualize trends over time and compare air quality to other regions. This can also allow for more data aggregation and analysis. * **Data Download**: Publicly accessible data available in easy-to-use formats, either as a direct download or via a request form. This is particularly helpful in addition to web-based charts. * **Notifications**: Automated text, email, or phone call alerts when environmental conditions exceed a certain threshold. In locations with [limited cell service or wifi](https://publiclab.org/questions/bhamster/10-29-2021/what-are-ways-to-alert-residents-to-air-quality-concerns-without-using-cell-phones-or-wifi), an Air Quality Flag program can be an option. * **Partnerships**: Work with local schools, existing government sites, news stations, and other media outlets to reach a broader audience and inform the public about air quality issues. _More to come here_

## Questions about air quality data Questions tagged with `question:air-quality-data` will appear here [questions:air-quality-data]

## Activities about air quality data data Activity posts tagged with `activity:air-quality-data` will appear here [notes:activity:air-quality-data]

## Further reading and resources + **[Data Viz Project](https://datavizproject.com/)**: a comprehensive online tool cataloging examples of data visualizations from the design firm Ferdio. + **[Data Carpentry](https://datacarpentry.org/)**: β€œData Carpentry develops and teaches workshops on the fundamental data skills needed to conduct research.” + **[Guidebook for Developing a Community Air Monitoring Network](https://trackingcalifornia.org/cms/file/imperial-air-project/guidebook)**: Steps, Lessons, and Recommendations from the Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Project + Wilson G, Bryan J, Cranston K, Kitzes J, Nederbragt L, Teal TK. 2017. **Good enough practices in scientific computing**. PLoS Comput Biol, 13(6): e1005510. [LINK to paper](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005510).

## Next step challenges