Statistically Accurate Interactive Displays for Educational and Government Reports

• Activity Number: 52 - Statistically Accurate Interactive Displays for Educational and Government Reports
• Type: Topic-Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 8, 2021 : 3:30 PM to 5:20 PM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): Nola du Toit* and Mark Wilson* and Andrew White* and Lynne Stokes*
• Companies: National Center for Education Statistics and NORC at the University of Chicago and Southern Methodist University and University of California Berkeley
• Keywords: Interactive Graphics; Graphics; Education; Government

Abstract

Graphical displays in online educational and government reports continue to rely on static traditional displays. This thwarts the grabbing of attention from a varied readership and fails to enable immediate further investigation. To take a fresh look, the National Institute of Statistical Sciences launched the Statistically Accurate Interactive Display (SAID) in Graphics student competition. Specific design opportunities focused on online published reports for cross-disciplinary teams and individuals. The entries revisioned existing report graphics and were judged based on engaging the reader to interact and learn more, the extent of information conveyed, the statistical accuracy of the impression created, and the substantive added value the readers would gain from the interactive capability. This session will discuss the principles experts applied in judging the entries, the highlights of the contest submissions, and the experts’ recommendations for the future use of graphics in reports designed for both qualitatively and quantitatively-minded audiences. Winning graphics will be presented and will hopefully inspire the use of interactives in currently staid reports.