Visual storytelling enhances knowledge dissemination in biomedical science

Area of Science:

• Biomedical science communication
• Data visualization
• Scientific illustration

Background:

• Biomedical research is often presented using complex statistical plots and data visualizations.
• These presentations can be challenging for non-experts and even scientists in different fields.
• Effective knowledge dissemination requires improved communication of scientific findings to the public.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new theoretical framework for Visual Storytelling in biomedical science.
• To address the need for compelling and effective information visualizations.
• To enhance the communication of scientific findings to a broader audience.

Main Methods:

• Developed a theoretical framework for Visual Storytelling.
• Applied the framework to create two visual stories: one on vaccine safety and one on cancer immunotherapy.
• Combined multiple media types (photographs, illustrations, maps, tables, graphs, charts) with text.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the potential application of the Visual Storytelling framework.
• Created powerful visual stories for specific target audiences using data-driven, multi-modal content.
• Showcased the integration of diverse media to explain complex biomedical topics.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Visual Storytelling framework offers a novel approach to biomedical communication.
• This method can make complex scientific information more accessible and engaging.
• Further validation may establish non-traditional techniques for creating compelling information visualizations in science.