Infographic Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sampling method is MOST appropriate when you need to represent proportional subgroups within a population for infographic data?
- Convenience sampling
- Stratified random sampling (Correct answer)
- Snowball sampling
- Purposive sampling
Correct answer: Stratified random sampling
Stratified random sampling divides the population into subgroups and samples proportionally from each, ensuring all segments are represented accurately.
Question 2: When citing a statistic in an infographic, what is the PRIMARY reason to include the year the data was collected?
- To comply with copyright law
- To allow viewers to assess data currency and relevance (Correct answer)
- To increase the word count of the infographic
- To credit the graphic designer
Correct answer: To allow viewers to assess data currency and relevance
Including the data collection year lets viewers judge whether the information is still current and applicable to present-day contexts.
Question 3: A designer wants to show that ice cream sales and drowning incidents both rise in summer. Which logical fallacy must they warn viewers about?
- Ad hominem
- Straw man
- Correlation does not imply causation (Correct answer)
- False dichotomy
Correct answer: Correlation does not imply causation
Both variables share a common cause (hot weather), so presenting them together without context implies a causal link that doesn't exist.
Question 4: What does 'triangulation' mean in the context of evidence-based infographic research?
- Using triangular shapes in data visualization
- Verifying findings with three or more independent sources (Correct answer)
- Dividing data into three equal segments
- Applying a three-color palette for clarity
Correct answer: Verifying findings with three or more independent sources
Triangulation strengthens credibility by cross-checking a claim against multiple independent data sources or research methods.
Question 5: An infographic claims '9 out of 10 dentists recommend this toothpaste.' What critical piece of information is missing?
- The brand of toothpaste
- The sample size and how dentists were selected (Correct answer)
- The flavor of the toothpaste
- The country where the study took place
Correct answer: The sample size and how dentists were selected
Without knowing the sample size and selection method, the statistic could reflect a tiny, non-representative group rather than a meaningful consensus.
Question 6: Which type of study design provides the strongest evidence for causal claims in an infographic?
- Case study
- Cross-sectional survey
- Randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Correct answer)
- Expert opinion
Correct answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
RCTs randomly assign participants to conditions, controlling confounding variables and producing the highest-quality evidence for causation.
Question 7: When an infographic uses government census data, what is the MOST important limitation a designer should disclose?
- The government's political affiliation
- The lag between data collection and publication (Correct answer)
- The color scheme used in official reports
- The number of census workers employed
Correct answer: The lag between data collection and publication
Census data is typically published 1–2 years after collection, so disclosed figures may not reflect the most recent population trends.
Infographic Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2
Which sampling method is MOST appropriate when you need to represent proportional subgroups within a population for infographic data?