Priti Shah|Eric G. Freedman
Bar and Line Graph Comprehension: An Interaction of Top?Down and Bottom?Up Processes
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Flint
experiment investigated effect format line vs bar viewers familiarity variables viewers graphicacy graphical literacy skills comprehension multivariate three variable data presented graphs fiftyfive undergraduates provided written descriptions data set 14 line bar graphs half depicted variables familiar population half depicted variables unfamiliar population participants took test graphicacy skills predicted format influenced viewers interpretations data specifically viewers likely describe xy interactions viewing line graphs viewing bar graphs likely describe main effects zy variable legend interactions viewing bar graphs viewing line graphs familiarity data presented individuals graphicacy skills interacted influence graph format specifically viewers likely generate inferences high graphicacy skills data familiar thus information inferred expected format supported inferences implications multivariate data display discussed