6Communicating Quantitative Information Using Visuals
Humans are inherently visual beings. There is plenty of research proving the superiority of visuals over text when it comes to the uptaking and retaining information. For example, we process visual information about 60,000 times faster than text. It is far easier to recall visual information than text. In fact, we often translate text to visuals in our memories – this happens if we read a good novel for example. In data‐driven scientific disciplines, the phenomenon is exacerbated because the information we convey tends to be rather complex, such that visuals become even more important. However, it is both easy to distort information deliberately and also to inadvertently confuse by using visuals. The former is obviously up to us and relies on the individual researcher's integrity. The latter firstly requires a good understanding of the data underlying the visual representation. Too often, researchers take to plotting without a comprehensive understanding of the data. This is particularly dangerous where software packages tempt us with relatively fancy looking plots that form at a mouse click. Secondly, we need to learn a set of basic graphic rules to make visuals both appealing and scientifically correct. Producing highest‐quality, publication‐ready graphics is not only beyond the scope of this book but also it occasionally requires us to rely on professionals or at least get their advice.
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