Macroeconomics Research Infographic Project
Assignment & Guidelines
Overview
An infographic is a visual image that is used to represent information. It makes lots of information easily digestible and is designed to help viewers identify patterns and trends. For this assignment, your job is to create an infographic analyzing the country of your choice.
You will use images, statistics and words to represent the country’s GDP, unemployment rate, inflation rate, balance of trade, and world trade. Additional points awarded for inclusion of the Human Development Index ratings.
Assignment
Each student will select a non-U.S. economy to study, utilizing the tools of macroeconomic analysis developed throughout this course. Analytical research will be required. Information sources should vary, with heavy emphasis on li
ary and scholarly online materials. Progress reports will be expected during the semester, with a final document to be submitted electronically.
The project is intended to examine important elements of the selected macro economy along with an introduction and conclusion in an infographic document. [Objective 2]
1. Introduction: a
ief geographic and national overview of the country selected
2. Gross Domestic Product: analysis of the selected economy's GDP, reported in US dollars and analyzed as a percentage of world GDP. [Objective 3]
3. Unemployment & Inflation: a
ief look at the selected country's unemployment rate and inflation rates should be analyzed. [Objective 3]
4. The external sector: analysis of the balance of trade of the country. Imports and exports vital to the country’s GDP will be examined, as well as an investigation of the nation's trading partners, both import partners and export partners. [Objective 3] [Objective 4]
5. Summary and Conclusions: based on the preceding data, an analysis illustrating the central theme(s) behind the selected economy’s successes and challenges in providing an improving welfare for its citizens. [Objective 1] [Objective 4]
6. Citations - You MUST provide citations within your infographic. The general rule of thumb is, if you looked it up, you must cite it. If the knowledge came from somewhere other than your own
ain, you MUST give credit to the source where you learned the information. Failure to give proper credit to the source where the information originated is considered plagiarism. Plagiarism is a violation of the Academic Dishonesty policy.
_____
Additional points awarded for inclusion and analysis of the country’s Human Development Index ratings.
Objectives
This assignment requires that students find, synthesize, and integrate a range of information in order make decisions for then a
anging and designing the infographic to effectively communicate the argument through a highly visual format.
This assignment accomplished the following objectives:
1. Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
2. Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Infographic Requirements
Each infographic must meet the following requirements:
· 600px or 800px wide (800px is prefe
ed)
· include a combination of words, images, graphics, and numbers
· include links at the bottom to add material cited and images used
· a main title for the infographic
· eye catching section headings
· a minimum of 3 colors
· a minimum of 1 graph/chart
· a minimum of 4 graphics
All information you find to inform the creation of your infographic must come from an online source. Please make sure the source is reliable and the information up to date.
Read the articles linked below as an introduction to creating infographics:
· 10 Of The Best Tools For Creating Infographics - http:
www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-of-the-best-tools-for-creating-infographics
· The Do's and Dont's of Infographic Design - http:
www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/10/14/the-dos-and-donts-of-infographic-design
Five Fun and Free Tools for Creating Infographics
Canva – www.canva.com
With a variety of ready-made templates to get you started, Canva is user-friendly. Once you select your template, simply type keywords into a search box and choose from hundreds of images to include in your infographic design. You can also add backgrounds, shapes, icons, photos, illustrations and text.
Easel.ly – www.easl.ly
This simple design tool provides free access to thousands of images and infographic templates. The drag-and-drop feature is easy to use, and your completed infographic can be downloaded for printing. AASL named it a 2015 Best Website for Teaching & Learning.
Infogr.am – infogram.com
Students and educators can use this tool to create charts, graphs, maps and other infographics. This tool is best to use if you have your data ready to go. The basic plan limits you to 10 infographics before prompting you to upgrade to the Pro version. Special pricing for educators is available.
Piktochart – Piktochart.com
Create long-form infographics, bar graphs, pie charts and more with free access to more than 4,000 images and icons. You can download your final masterpiece or share it using the tool’s built-in social sharing options.
Venngage – venngage.com
This easy-to-use infographic maker lets you choose from more than 100 templates. The free plan lets you create only five infographics, but affordable individual and educator plans offering full access to all the tool’s features are available.
Grading Matrix
Your paper will be graded according to the matrix at the bottom of this page using the scale of Excellent to Weak. Explanation of the scale is as follows:
Weak: Unclear focus. Confusing or inco
ect. Lack of evidence and support and/or evidence is formatted so poorly that it is difficult to read.
Fair: Focus is often lost. Statements are sometimes confusing or unorganized. Arguments would be substantially strengthened by more
etter evidence and/or the evidence is presented in a sloppy, distracting manner.
Average: Focus is apparent. Arguments are presented in an organized and logical manner, but few resources and sources are used. Minimal evidence is presented.
Good: The focus is clear. Organization and logic are good, but could be refined. Good use of research and sources, but arguments presented could be strengthened with additional evidence.
Excellent: The focus is clear, logical, and organized. Strong argument presented, backed by excellent use of evidence. Research and sources are appropriate and exhaustive.
Grading Matrix
Section
Max
Weak
Fai
Average
Good
Excellent
Content of Assignment
Introduction
5 pts
GPD
5 pts
GDP% World
5 pts
Unemployment Rate
5 pts
Inflation Rate
5 pts
Balance of Trade
5 pts
Imports
5 pts
Exports
5 pts
Trade Partners
5 pts
Conclusion
10 pts
HDI Ratings
10pts
Citations
10 pts
Visual Appeal
10 pts
Organization
5pts
Proper gramma
10 pts
OVERALL ANALYSIS
10 pts
Column Totals
100pts