Statistical Sins
Statistics and data are the foundation of making informed decisions based on fact. Data can be beneficial to ensure the right decisions are made, and the correct action is taken. In a world inundated with information, relying on statistics provides a structured and objective way to analyze important trends. Decision makers gain valuable insights by harnessing data, allowing for strategic planning, risk mitigation, and evidence-based problem-solving.
Role of Government
Our government is an example of this on one of the largest scales. If the government uses data visualizations to make informed decisions, those visualizations better be accurate. In addition, the visualization they put out to the public should also be valid. If displayed in a way that misinforms, destructive actions may be taken. Politics serves as the framework for every significant societal decision through its ability to institute policies, form legislation, and allocate resources (Labrecque, 2023). The power government and politics hold over how our society is shaped is monstrous. This is why data must be ethically and accurately represented visually (CNET, 2011). Otherwise, manipulated data will dictate the outcome of our society, making it one of the greatest and most dangerous sins in visual storytelling.
Political Example: Planned Parenthood
Discussions on Planned Parenthood and abortion rates are essential in shaping how women navigate their lives. With the idea of banning abortions, Republicans from the U.S Congress used the above graphic to make a case that with funding Planned Parenthood, abortions will increase while breast exams will decrease (Calzon, 2023) At first glance, this graph may seem alarming. However, the lack of a y-axis seriously impacts the validity of its information.
By including a y-axis and more data points to improve accuracy, this is what a more valid depiction of the data would look like. Drastic right? To some, the first graph may seem like an amateur attempt to fool the public. However, it happens more than one might think. People believe what they see, so important data like this must be ethically and accurately represented.
Final Thoughts
In summary, statistics and data form the foundation of informed decision-making. This is especially evident in government and politics, where accurate data representation shapes policies. The planned parenthood example underscores the impact of ethical data visualization. Misleading data visuals can lead to destructive actions taken by our government and impact the shaping of public opinion. Maintaining data integrity is crucial for fostering a society shaped by well-informed decisions and truth.
Hi! My name is Kristin Ardese and I am a professional Graphic Designer and Marketing Strategist. I hope that by sharing some of my expertise, I can help offer valuable insights and build an engaging community.
