Yasmina Okan|Mirta Galeši?|Rocío García?Retamero
How People with Low and High Graph Literacy Process Health Graphs: Evidence from Eye?tracking
University of Leeds|Universidad de Granada|Max Planck Institute for Human Development|Santa Fe Institute|Universidad de Granada|Max Planck Institute for Human Development
abstract graphs facilitate communication important quantitative information often serving effective decision support tools yet graphs equally useful individuals people differ substantially graph literacythe ability understand graphically presented information although features graphs interpreted using spatialtoconceptual mappings established adults children graphing experience eg higher bars equal larger quantities features linked arbitrary graph conventions eg axes labels scales two experiments examined differences processes underlying comprehension graphs presenting medical information individuals low high graph literacy participants eye movements recorded interpreted graphs information conventional features incongruent conveyed spatial features results revealed participants low graph literacy often relied misleading spatialtoconceptual mappings misinterpreted data depicted higher graph literacy often associated time spent viewing conventional features containing essential information accurate interpretations suggests individuals high graph literacy better able identify taskrelevant information graphs thus attend relevant features larger extent theoretical methodological prescriptive implications customization decisionsupport systems discussed copyright 2015 john wiley amp sons ltd