Statistics and Graphics Online: Links Between Information in Newspapers and User Experience Evaluation

Introduction

For the realization of our study we have used notions stemming from semiotics, descriptive statistics, online interactive design and communicability. From semiotics we use the notion of iconicity (Eco, 1979; Saussure, 1983; Greimas, 1984; Nöth, 1995). Having the status or properties of a icon; fulfilling the function or playing the role of an icon (a sign which represents its object by virtue of a resemblance to that object). We will try to locate that iconicity in each one of the graphics that make up the current work. Our universe of study is made up by statistic graphics of 2012, 2013 and 2014 from an online Spanish paper “El Pais” (www.elpais.es), reducing the change of style to represent the graphic stemming from the statistic data. The sign (+) means that communicability is present, (++) denotes thatt the ease of understanding of the statistic data and the iconicity are present. In contrast, if there is a negative sign (-) or signs (- -), they have an inverse sense, that is, it means the absence of the previously enumerated components.

The graphic representation of statistic information in the newspapers must be regarded as a means or a complementary tool to transfer round-ups, synthesis, conclusions and so on to public opinion. These graphics have acquired great diffusion in the written press of the 20th century, especially for economic and social information. Later on, those graphics were accompanied by pictures, illustrations, etc, thus establishing a link with infographics (Ware, 2013; Smiciklas, 2012). Whereas in Spain the word “infographics” is normally used as a synonymous of a computer animated image, in other countries it is rather related to the explanation graphics and illustrations in general, such images may appear published in a newspaper, accompanied by statistic information (Ficarra, 1993). Now in the graphic arts both uses are correct. In contrast, in some Latin American countries and in several European countries infographics is a synonymous for computer graphics (computer-made static point of view of the image). The truth is that since 1990 the graphic arts transit in the era of digital communication, boosted by the Internet (Cipolla-Ficarra, 2005). Hence it is necessary to speak of the infographic arts: info (for information) and graphics (computer made images in 2D and/or 3D). Here the term infographics is used as synonymous of computer graphics. Besides, in such area are seated the originality and creativity factors of a graphic arts work. In infographics usually converge not only the technological aspect, but besides the creative factor (Lankow, Ritchie, & Crooks, 2012). Now the main activity of the graphic designer is textual communication. That is, he/she is a “visual communicator through letters”. Moreover, the workers of that sector must be experts in setting texts. Texts which may be accompanied by statistic data, static and/or dynamic images, with sound media, such as can be the case of an offline and/or online hypermedia newspaper. In this kind of digital support of the contents many of the traditional limitations of the analogical media have been overcome in graphic representation (Chen, & Paul, 2001). Besides, even if it is true that the graphic method of information represents a more attractive way to draw the attention of the readers in the newspapers, in paper support, those same data grouped and from the technical point of view, can’t be regarded as a rigorous way in itself, like an exactness of statistic representation (Ficarra, 1993; Gage, 2000; Riobbo & Pio de Oro, 2000). Some of those classical limitations in the analogical media for the graphic representation are:

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  The graphic method can’t represent as many data as a statistic table, for instance.

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  The appreciation of details is not possible.

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  The graphic in itself can’t give exact values.

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  Deformations are likely to occur because of the scales used.

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  The graphics required more time for its realization than the tables.