My research interest is in data visualization literacy.

Many data visualization practices help comprehension. For my dissertation study, I explored different data visualization practices and comprehension. I also asked participants about their self-perceptions and preferences for data and graphics.

In my study, I assessed how different data visualization related to data comprehension. I used the subjective numeracy (SNS) and subjective graph literacy (SGL) scales.

I ran a randomized control study, presenting the same data in tables and charts. Each group saw a table or chart from a government report. Two groups viewed the original (control) table or chart. The other two groups view a modified (best practice) table or chart.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:

1/ People who viewed tables had better data comprehension than those who viewed charts.

2/ People who viewed the best practice chart had better data comprehension than those who viewed the stacked bar chart (control).

3/ Participants who reported high SNS or SGL had better data comprehension. There was one exception: People who reported high SGL had lower data comprehension in one scenario.

4/ There was a positive association between the participants’ data comprehension and their SNS and SGL scores.

Data visualization, numeracy and graph literacy: Seeing and thinking of data presented as tables or charts.

Tsagaroulis, P. (2020). Data visualization, numeracy and graph literacy: Seeing and thinking of data presented as tables or charts. [Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. https://search.proquest.com/openview/0d121f049421059e712f7a7ef4bda3c3

Abstract

Many organizations are “data rich, but insight poor” and contend with challenges developing data visualizations that facilitate insights. Studies show that numeracy, graph literacy, and cognitive processes influence how people perceive data visualizations. However, empirical studies on data visualization practices, numeracy, and graph literacy are rare. This study, which used a cognitive psychology framework, explains how data comprehension varies by data visualization practices and by measures of subjective numeracy (SNS) and subjective graph literacy (SGL). This paper presents findings from 212 participants (students and professionals) who viewed data visualizations from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Each group saw a table and a chart across two scenarios (the original table or chart, and modified versions using data visualization best practices). There were four key findings: 1) Overall, participants who saw tables had higher data comprehension than participants who saw charts, 2) participants who saw the best practice chart had higher data comprehension than participants who saw the control stacked bar chart, 3) participants with high SNS or high SGL had higher data comprehension (except for participants with high SGL in one scenario), and 4) data comprehension correlated positively with SNS and SGL. Implications for theory and practice expand the field of data visualization. A central principle is that the seeing and thinking of data can facilitate cognitive tasks. This study may help analysts develop a better understanding of how to communicate findings using data visualization best practices.

Please send requests for my paper via ResearchGate.

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