Innovating Infographics in Public Health

统计信息对于很大一部分公众来说很难理解(Gigerenzer等人，2007年)，但我们每天都依赖数据为重要决策提供信息。信息图表(信息图表)使用形状、线条、颜色和插图来直观地表示数据，并被推荐为卫生传播者能够更有效地交流统计信息的一种方法(Miranda等人，2008年)。然而，我们很少了解公众对信息图表的看法，以及观众对无数不同类型和风格的信息图表的理解。在谷歌上搜索“信息图表”一词，返回的页面数量超过1,400万，而信息图表设计者网站www.visal.ly声称有50万会员。尽管信息图表很受欢迎，但几乎没有证据支持或质疑其有效性，特别是在公共医疗方面。Spriegelhalter等人(2011)强调了对信息图表缺乏强有力的测试，指出“尽管人们对信息图表的兴趣日益浓厚，但关于不同类型的可视化如何被处理和理解的实验证据有限”。如果信息图的目的是‘揭示数据’，我们如何才能使数据中的内容和故事尽可能清晰和引人注目？我的研究将采用三种信息图设计研究方法，以获得对该主题的更全面的了解-这将包括研究设计过程，研究设计的接受度和使用设计实践。首先，它将涉及到研究英国公共卫生署目前委托和设计信息图的方法，以帮助他们改进这一领域的沟通策略，并突出最佳实践。他们如何分析他们可以获得的数据集，以及如何解释这些数据以供普通公众和关键决策者使用？我的研究将涉及采访英格兰公共卫生和其他利益相关者的关键工作人员和管理人员，并将检查他们目前使用的信息图表的例子。他们目前使用或考虑使用哪些技术来使他们的数据讲述一个更有说服力的故事？其次，我的研究将集中在信息图设计与广泛的服务用户的接受。我的研究将特别考察人们对点缀的信息图(根据贝特曼等人，2010年，包括照片和插图，以使信息图更令人难忘)的接受情况，以及最近环境信息图的现象(那些介入街道或通过唤起人的物体的信息图(Claus&Moeare(2013)。虽然我将研究广泛的数据集，但将特别关注提供的有关交通和健康的数据，以反映英格兰公共卫生(约克郡和亨伯中心)、西约克郡交通组织和五个地方当局之间的新合作。第三，该项目将涉及将新数据可视化，并产生一套将在公共领域使用的设计。设计将基于研究产生的原则，并将以新的和令人信服的方式呈现数据。还将对这些信息图表的接受情况进行评估。这些对制作和接收的研究将结合起来，创建一套设计工具，以帮助伙伴组织在未来更有效地设计信息图表。这项研究具有变革性的潜力--改变伙伴组织在交流数据和采用设计研究方法方面的工作方法。它还将以新的方式将数据可视化，以促进服务用户更好地理解。该项目还有可能对该地区地方当局和交通组织的决策者产生积极影响，并为设计界和学术界提供新的知识。

Statistical information is difficult to understand for a large section of the general public (Gigerenzer et al, 2007) and yet we rely on data to inform important decisions on a daily basis. Information graphics (infographics) use shape, line, colour and illustration to visually represent data and are recommended as one method by which health communicators can communicate statistical information more effectively (Miranda et al, 2008). However, we understand very little about public opinion towards infographics and of viewer's comprehension of the myriad of diverse infographic types and styles available. Searching for the term 'infographics' on google returns over 14 million page returns and the website for infographic designers, www.visual.ly, claims half a million members. Despite the popularity of infographics there is very little evidence to support or challenge their effectiveness, particularly in relation to public healthcare. Spriegelhalter et al (2011) highlight the lack of robust testing of infographics stating that "despite the burgeoning interest in infographics, there is limited experimental evidence on how different types of visualizations are processed and understood". If the purpose of infographics is to 'reveal data' how can we make the substance and story within that data as clear and compelling as possible?My research will adopt three approaches to infographic design study in order to gain a more complete picture of the subject - this will involve studying the design process, studying the reception of design and employing design practice.Firstly, it will involve studying the current approach to commissioning and design of infographics within Public Health England in order to help them improve their communication strategy in this area and to highlight best practice. How do they analyse the datasets they have access to and how is this data interpreted for use by the general public and key decision makers? My research will involve interviewing key staff and managers within Public Health England and other stakeholders and will examine examples of infographics that they currently use. What techniques do they currently use or consider using to make their data tell a more compelling story? Secondly, my research will focus on the reception of infographic designs with a broad range of service users. My research will examine, in particular, the reception of embellished infographics (those that include photographs and illustrations to make the infographic more memorable according to Bateman et al., 2010) and the very recent phenomenon of ambient infographics (those that intervene on the street or via evocative objects (Claus & Moeare (2013)). Whilst I will examine a broad range of datasets there will be a particular focus on data provided about transport and health, to reflect the new collaboration between Public Health England (Yorkshire and Humber Centre), West Yorkshire transport organisations and five local authorities. Thirdly, the project will involve visualising new data and producing a set of designs that will be used in the public domain. The designs will be based on principles stemming from the research and will present the data in new and compelling ways. The reception of these infographics will also be evaluated.Together these studies of production and reception will converge in the creation of a set of design tools developed to aid the partner organisation to design infographics more effectively in the future. The research has transformative potential - transforming the working methods of the partner organisation with respect to communicating data and employing design research methods. It will also visualise data in new ways to facilitate greater understanding amongst service users. The project also has potential to impact positively on decision makers in local authorities and transport organisations in the region as well as offer new knowledge to the design and academic communities