Attitudinal Effects of Data Visualizations and Illustrations in Data Stories

Area of Science:

• Journalism studies
• Information visualization
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• Journalism increasingly relies on visual elements like infographics and data visualizations.
• Few studies examine how these visuals influence reader opinion beyond text.
• Understanding the impact of visual artifacts is crucial for journalistic storytelling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the persuasive, emotional, and memorable dimensions of data visualizations versus illustrations in long-form journalistic articles.
• To compare the effects of data visualizations and illustrations on changing reader attitudes.
• To explore how visual stimuli influence persuasion, emotion, and information retention.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a user study comparing different versions of the same article.
• Analyzed the effects of data visualizations and illustrations on reader attitudes.
• Examined reader perceptions of visual stimuli individually and in combination.

Main Results:

• Data visualization-only narratives elicited a stronger emotional impact than illustration-only support.
• Data visualizations led to a significant change in initial reader attitudes.
• Attitudes differed based on the type of visual stimuli present and their combination.

Conclusions:

• Data visualizations are powerful tools for influencing public opinion and debate in journalism.
• Visual elements significantly impact reader persuasion, emotion, and information retention.
• Future research should explore these effects in diverse domains beyond the water crisis.