The Pitfalls of Visual Representations

Sabrina Bresciani and Martin J. Eppler

SAGE Open, 2015, vol. 5, issue 4, 2158244015611451

Abstract: A large body of research has addressed the benefits of visualization, whereas the analysis of the pitfalls has not received systematic attention. We aim to provide an overview of the common pitfalls and potential disadvantages of visual representations based on a multidisciplinary literature review. Subsequently, we develop a theoretically grounded classification of common cognitive, emotional, and social risks of visualization and populate it with a comprehensive list of visualization pitfalls. The aim of this research is not to diminish the potential of visualization, but rather to improve visual literacy by structuring our understanding of the possible limitations of graphic representations.

Keywords: visualization risks; visualization mistakes; disadvantages; visual representation negatives; graphic representations; graphic design improvement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:5:y:2015:i:4:p:2158244015611451

DOI: 10.1177/2158244015611451

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