How to create an interactive dashboard using R: the example of the Queensland COVID-19 tracker

Julia Loginova; Pia Wohland

doi:10.37970/aps.v4i2.72

Julia Loginova The University of Queensland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1304-5967
Pia Wohland The University of Queensland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6893-5852

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37970/aps.v4i2.72

Abstract

Background Interactive tools like data dashboards enable users both to view and interact with data. In today’s data-driven environment it is a priority for researchers and practitioners alike to be able to develop interactive data visualisation tools easily and where possible at a low cost.

Aims Here, we provide a guide on how to develop and create an interactive online data dashboard in R, using the COVID-19 tracker for Health and Hospital Regions in Queensland, Australia as an example. We detail a series of steps and explain choices made to design, develop, and easily maintain the dashboard and publish it online.

Data and methods The dashboard visualises publicly available data from the Queensland Health web page. We used the programming language R and its free software environment. The dashboard webpage is hosted publicly on GitHub Pages updated via GitHub Desktop.

Results Our interactive dashboard is available at https://qcpr.github.io/.

Conclusions Interactive dashboards have many applications such as dissemination of research and other data. This guide and the supplementary material can be adjusted to develop a new dashboard for a different set of data and needs.

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