Vivid and Engaging

Effects of Interactive Data Visualization on Perceptions and Attitudes about Social Issues

Bibliographic Data

ID22010899
AuthorsHaiyan Jia (0000-0002-8388-7860, Lehigh University, corresponding author), Sundar (0000-0002-5779-8864, Pennsylvania State University)
Year2024
Volume12
Issue8
Pages1205-1229
Publication date2024-09-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDigital Journalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2167-0811 • E-ISSN: 2167-082X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/21670811.2023.2250815
OpenAlexW4386325654
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited92

With the rising availability and volume of data, journalists are finding ways to integrate data-rich information into news content and make them accessible to everyday news readers by accompanying them with exemplifying cases. However, these exemplars do not always fully capture the complexity of the data patterns, leading to significant biases in readers’ issue perceptions. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of exemplification theory and interactivity, this study examines the effectiveness of interactivity in counteracting the exemplification effect through perceived vividness of and user engagement with data-rich information. A mixed-design experiment revealed that, compared to textual description and static visualization, interactive data visualization is effective in motivating systematic processing of baserate information, which positively influences accuracy of issue perception as well as personal attitudes toward two controversial issues—climate change and same-sex marriage legalization. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for journalistic practice and interface design for communicating data information

Data science · Data visualization · Epistemology · Exemplification · Information visualization · Interactivity · Internet privacy · Perception · Social media · Visualization · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Data Visualization and Analytics · Media Influence and Health · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access