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Dashboard Week Day5–Shark attack investigation

This post was originally published on The Data School blog between 2018 and July 2025, before our program was renamed to MIP’s Analytics Career Accelerator. References throughout this article to “The Data School” or “DS” all refer to what is now MIP’s Analytics Career Accelerator. The program, its people, and its commitment to launching outstanding analytics careers remain the same – just under a new name.

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As I sat down at my computer, I was curious about the dataset on shark attacks that I had just received. I couldn’t help but wonder what type of shark and activity caused the most attacks, and whether they were fatal or not.

As I started to investigate, I created a dashboard to help me visualize the data. I was amazed to find that the great white shark was the most dangerous type of shark when it came to attacking humans. The data showed that they had the highest frequency of attacks and the highest fatality rate.

I also found that tiger sharks were a significant threat to humans, with a high fatality rate as well. The attacks occurred most frequently in America and Australia, which made sense given that those countries have more recorded data.

Looking further into the data, I discovered that surfing, swimming, and fishing were the three most deadly sports when it came to shark attacks. This information was alarming, but also important for individuals to be aware of, so they can take necessary precautions to reduce the likelihood of shark attacks.

As I continued to explore the data, I found that males were more likely to be attacked than females due to their higher participation in these activities. This was an interesting finding, but also highlighted the need for individuals to take precautions, regardless of their gender.

The dashboard I created helped me better understand the patterns and trends in shark attacks, and it made me realize just how important it is for people to be aware of the risks associated with these activities. While the thought of a shark attack may be frightening, being informed and taking necessary precautions can go a long way in reducing the risk of an attack.

Reflections and thought about the data school

 

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