Why Analyze Data?#

If you’ve collected data through citizen science—or are considering it—you might wonder: what happens next? Why do we analyze data? And how does analysis turn raw observations into meaningful knowledge?

This chapter explains why analyzing data is essential to environmental science, community action, and public health. Whether you’re a student, educator, community leader, or curious participant, this lesson will show how analysis helps us answer questions, find patterns, and make informed decisions.

What Is Data Analysis?#

In simple terms, data analysis is the process of examining data to draw conclusions. It involves organizing, visualizing, interpreting, and sometimes modeling information to:

  • Identify trends or changes over time

  • Spot patterns or outliers

  • Compare one place or group to another

  • Support a hypothesis or answer a research question

  • Make decisions based on evidence

Data can take many forms—numbers, maps, photos, GPS coordinates, or even checklists. GLOBE Observer data, for instance, includes:

  • Geotagged photos of land cover

  • Mosquito larvae counts and habitat descriptions

  • Time and date stamps

  • Weather and environmental conditions

Each data point alone is helpful, but when we analyze many observations together, we begin to see bigger pictures.

Why Analysis Matters for EMERGE#

The EMERGE project is about more than collecting data—it’s about using data to understand environmental change and public health risks, especially related to mosquito-borne disease and land use.

By analyzing land cover observations, we can:

  • See how vegetation and water coverage vary across regions

  • Identify places at higher risk for heat, flooding, or pollution

  • Understand how green space contributes to resilience

By analyzing mosquito habitat data, we can:

  • Pinpoint mosquito breeding hotspots

  • Compare mosquito presence before and after a storm

  • Predict where health departments might need to focus resources

Analysis helps turn community-collected data into community knowledge. It empowers you to say not just “Here’s what I saw” but “Here’s what it means.”

Examples of Questions You Can Explore#

  • Where are most mosquito larvae being found in my city?

  • How does land cover vary between neighborhoods?

  • Do mosquito habitats increase after heavy rainfall?

  • What kinds of environments seem to attract mosquitoes?

  • Are certain areas missing green space or vegetation?

In upcoming lessons, we’ll show you how to:

  • Explore and download data from GLOBE Observer

  • Visualize data with charts and maps

  • Create insights you can share with your school, library, or local government

Conclusion: From Observation to Action#

Data collection is the first step. Analysis is what gives data power.

By analyzing what you and others observe, you contribute to science, inform public decisions, and help your community adapt to a changing world. Whether you’re building a science fair project, informing local leaders, or simply satisfying your curiosity—data analysis connects you to a larger story.

Let’s get started.