Data Prep

1. Download PDF

2. Select text in PDF

3. Copy and paste into Excel

4. Use Excel wizard to convert text to columns

5. Inspect

6. Clean up data

7. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat until all data that looks vaguely interesting is converted to a format that may be read into a programming environment.

Analysis

I created a Python environment on my laptop and used a Jupyter Notebook for analysis.

I made many beginner’s mistakes coding in Python and struggled to interpret the angry, pink error screens.

Experimenting with chart layouts and combinations of data…

…eventually resulted in charts that posed some interesting questions.

Next Steps Towards a Story

• inspect other reports posted by NCDHHS – explore more data
• research the LME/MCO’s that provide Behavioral Health Services
• connect with local providers, patients, health reporters – understand the context