Infographic Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

What is 'publication bias' and why does it matter when sourcing data for infographics?

Accepted Answer

The tendency for positive results to be published more than negative ones

Answer

Publication bias means the available literature skews toward positive findings, so a designer relying solely on published studies may overstate effects.

Question 2

A designer uses a peer-reviewed journal article from 2008 to support a claim about social media usage. What is the BIGGEST concern?

Accepted Answer

The data predates major platforms and is likely outdated

Answer

Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok did not exist in 2008, making usage statistics from that era irrelevant to current behavior.

Question 3

Which practice BEST demonstrates responsible use of statistics in an infographic?

Accepted Answer

Presenting data in context with relevant comparisons and baselines

Answer

Contextualizing statistics with baselines and comparisons prevents misleading interpretations and helps viewers accurately evaluate the information.

Question 4

What is a 'margin of error' and when must it be considered in infographic data?

Accepted Answer

The range within which the true population value likely falls

Answer

Margin of error reflects sampling uncertainty, and ignoring it can make a statistically insignificant difference appear meaningful in visual comparisons.

Question 5

An infographic cites a study funded by a snack company showing their product is healthy. Which evaluation framework should a designer apply?

Accepted Answer

CRAAP test — evaluating Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose

Answer

The CRAAP test prompts designers to assess funding source (Authority) and potential bias (Purpose), flagging industry-funded research as requiring additional scrutiny.

Infographic Design Practice Test

Infographic Design Practice Test

Infographic Design Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3