Mapping the Landscape of COVID-19 Crisis Visualizations (2101.04743v1)

Abstract: In response to COVID-19, a vast number of visualizations have been created to communicate information to the public. Information exposure in a public health crisis can impact people's attitudes towards and responses to the crisis and risks, and ultimately the trajectory of a pandemic. As such, there is a need for work that documents, organizes, and investigates what COVID-19 visualizations have been presented to the public. We address this gap through an analysis of 668 COVID-19 visualizations. We present our findings through a conceptual framework derived from our analysis, that examines who, (uses) what data, (to communicate) what messages, in what form, under what circumstances in the context of COVID-19 crisis visualizations. We provide a set of factors to be considered within each component of the framework. We conclude with directions for future crisis visualization research.

• The paper examines 668 COVID-19 visualizations to map creators, datasets, messaging, and presentation formats.
• It finds that 57% of the visualizations are produced by news media, while 7% lack proper data citation, highlighting quality and bias issues.
• The study calls for refined visualization practices to enhance clarity, accuracy, and public engagement during crises.

Analyzing the Landscape of COVID-19 Crisis Visualizations

The proliferation of visualizations during the COVID-19 pandemic has served as an integral tool for communicating complex data to the general public. The paper "Mapping the Landscape of COVID-19 Crisis Visualizations" provides an extensive analysis of 668 visualizations, offering a structured framework to decipher who creates these visualizations, the data used, the messages communicated, and the representation formats. This exploration provides critical insights into the multifaceted role visualizations play in enhancing public comprehension and response to the pandemic.

Who Created the Visualizations?

The paper identifies a diverse range of stakeholders involved in creating COVID-19 visualizations. Predominantly, these visualizations were disseminated through news media (57%), followed by NGOs, research institutes, and government entities. This variety underscores the collaborative effort to disseminate crucial information to the public. The source of visualizations demonstrates the broader accessibility and public engagement with data, yet it also suggests a potential variation in the quality and biases of presented information based on the source.

What Data Has Been Used?

A multitude of data sources forms the foundation for these visualizations, reflecting varied levels of data quality and completeness. The paper highlights a critical shortcoming in data provenance, where approximately 7% of visualizations failed to properly cite original data sources, posing risks to the credibility and reliability of these visual tools. Furthermore, the paper draws attention to the innovative use of crowdsourced data, which represents both an opportunity for up-to-date data collection and a challenge in ensuring data reliability and validity.

Detailed Examination of Messages Communicated

The authors categorize the messages conveyed through visualizations into six key areas:

1. Informing of the severity of the pandemic,
2. Forecasting trends and influences,
3. Explaining the nature of the crisis,
4. Guiding risk mitigation,
5. Communicating risk, vulnerability, and equity,
6. Gauging the multifaceted impacts of the crisis.

These categories not only highlight the breadth of information conveyed but also the critical role of visualizations in influencing public perception and behavior regarding COVID-19. Variations in messaging across different platforms and visual encodings introduce the potential for variability in how these messages are received and interpreted by diverse audiences.

In What Format is Information Presented?

The paper illuminates a spectrum of visualization techniques ranging from traditional charts and maps to innovative and complex multivariate displays. A keen focus is placed on normalization practices, particularly in choropleth maps, to mitigate potential biases arising from raw data presentation. The paper calls for careful consideration of visualization choices, emphasizing the need for decision-makers to prioritize clarity and accuracy, especially when novel techniques are employed.

The Role of Dynamic Contexts

The ongoing evolution of the pandemic is mirrored in the temporal adjustments seen in visualizations over time. Changes in visualizations are categorized as crisis-driven, public-driven, or content producer-driven, each reflecting different aspects of response and adaptation to the evolving crisis. This adaptability is crucial, yet it underscores the necessity of continual evaluation and refinement in visualization practices to ensure relevance and efficacy amidst dynamic circumstances.

Future Directions and Theoretical Implications

The paper concludes by advocating for further research into the effects of visualizations on public understanding, behavior, and attitudes towards COVID-19. It recognizes the potential for these visual tools to inform future crisis communication strategies, emphasizing an integrative approach that balances innovative designs with meaningful public engagement. Moreover, it suggests that the lessons learned from COVID-19 visualizations can extend into broader discussions on crisis informatics, including ethical considerations and equitable communication strategies.

In essence, "Mapping the Landscape of COVID-19 Crisis Visualizations" provides an insightful elaboration on the conceptual framework surrounding pandemic visualizations. It instigates an imperative discourse on the standards, practices, and methodologies that can optimize the utility and impact of crisis visualizations for current and future public health challenges.