Expenditure Geographical Distribution: Mapping Research Investment Across the U.S.
The Expenditure Geographical Distribution dashboard page provides a visual overview of research expenditures by institutions across the United States, helping users understand where research funding is concentrated and how it varies by state, city, and type of institution. This visualization allows UTRGV and other stakeholders to assess how their research investments compare regionally and nationally.
Key Variables for Exploring the Data
- State and City:
- This filter includes all 50 U.S. states and major cities, enabling users to focus on research expenditures in specific locations. Selecting a state allows viewers to see detailed data for all institutions within that state.
- School Type:
- Institutions are classified by Public, Private for-profit, and Private not-for-profit categories. These categories help viewers distinguish between different types of institutions, which often have varying levels of research investment and funding sources.
- Fiscal Year:
- The fiscal year is a 12-month accounting period used by institutions for reporting, capturing expenditures from July 1 to June 30. UTRGV began reporting data in FY 2016, and the dashboard includes data through the most recent fiscal year available, FY 2021. Users can select a specific fiscal year to analyze expenditure trends year-by-year or view data across multiple years.
ArcGIS Map:
- The map provides a clear, interactive view of research expenditures geographically.
- Each bubble on the map represents an institution, with the color differentiating between school types (public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit). The size of the bubble indicates the amount of research expenditure—larger bubbles represent institutions with higher research spending.
- Users can click on a state to see a breakdown of institutions within that state. The default view combines all fiscal years, but users can select a specific year from the dropdown to explore how research spending has changed over time.
Bar Chart of Total Expenditure by State and School Type:
- The bar chart provides an easy-to-read comparison of research expenditures by state, organized by school type. This visual is particularly useful for identifying the leading states in research investment and understanding the distribution of research funds between public and private institutions.
- Each bar is color-coded by school type, and users can drill down to explore additional details by state, city, institution, and even specific research fields or disciplines. This chart complements the map by offering a clear, side-by-side view of expenditure levels across states, helping users quickly identify where research dollars are being invested.
How to Use the Dashboard for Strategic Insights
This dashboard serves as a powerful tool for comparing UTRGV’s research spending with other institutions across the country. It provides an accessible way to see how research investments are distributed geographically and how UTRGV fits into the national research landscape. For example:
- UTRGV’s Research Position: By viewing research expenditures across Texas and other states, UTRGV can gauge how its funding compares to similar institutions, helping to set goals for future research investment.
- Regional and National Trends: Observing expenditure trends across states and school types reveals areas of potential growth and collaboration. For instance, states with high private-sector involvement in research may offer unique partnership opportunities.
- Targeted Analysis: By using the fiscal year and school type filters, stakeholders can conduct a targeted analysis, identifying where public institutions (like UTRGV) stand in comparison to private institutions over time.
This visualization is essential for UTRGV’s strategic planning in research, as it highlights funding patterns, growth areas, and competitive benchmarks, reinforcing UTRGV's commitment to expanding its research profile in alignment with national standards.