Communicating population health statistics through graphs: a randomised controlled trial of graph design interventions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Australian epidemiologists have recognised that lay readers have difficulty understanding statistical graphs in reports on population health. This study aimed to provide evidence for graph design improvements that increase comprehension by non-experts.

Methods

This was a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial of graph-design interventions, conducted as a postal survey. Control and intervention participants were randomly selected from telephone directories of health system employees. Eligible participants were on duty at the listed location during the study period. Controls received a booklet of 12 graphs from original publications, and intervention participants received a booklet of the same graphs with design modifications. A questionnaire with 39 interpretat

SUBMITTER: Muscatello DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1766925 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature