Interactivity in producing graphs challenges for producers ... · Interactivity in producing graphs –challenges for producers and data users 2 Daniel von Burg, Federal Statistical

Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA

Federal Statistical Office FSO

Interactivity in producing

graphs – challenges for

producers and data users

Daniel von Burg, Federal Statistical Office

OECD Seminar, May 26–27 2008, Stockholm

2Interactivity in producing graphs – challenges for producers and data users

Daniel von Burg, Federal Statistical Office | OECD Seminar, May 26–27 2008, Stockholm



3 challenges for all visualizations

1 Is everybody able to understand graphs?

Statistical literacy

2 Access for all and tailored information

3 Sustainable production of graphs

What do we understand by ‹interactivity›?

What if users want to visualize data themselves?





1st challenge: Is everybody able to understand graphs?

Source: Charles Joseph Minard (1781–1870)





All proportions have to be equal





«No one grants more citizenships than Switzerland»





«Switzerland is restrictive with granting citizenship»





Number of citizenships grantedTotal population Foreign population

Source: PIKOM





Visualization makes statisticsmore attractive

• Visualization is a task for statistical authors

• They need convenient tools.

Flexible templates help to guarantee both

quality and speed of production

• Checklists have to be applied before publication





Creating graphs: Producer-side interactivity





2nd challenge: access for alland tailored information

• Handicapped People

• Color blindness

• Visual impairment

• Physical impairment

• Researchers and journalists need access to the

data behind graphs, too

• Different target groups have different needs





Accessible color

scheme inherent to

the template





Fine-tune the axis





3rd challenge: sustainable production of graphs

• Cross media ability

(producing for the web and for print)

• Smooth but flexible workflows: use digital assets

• Data needs to be stored centrally:

One update, multiple use

• Avoid errors: reduce information conversion

• Continuous improvement: learn from experiences

• Bring statistical results even faster to the customer





Creating graphs: What about interactivity on the user side?





Interactivity may mean more than offering multiple layers of data

The three

challenges are

solved when

using static data





But: What if users want to visualize data themselves?

Public and private bodies

are offering masses of

data on the internet.

Interactivity also

means that users may

create their own

visualizations with official

data.





Offering graphs: User-side interactivity

All data must be

presented in a safe

and easy-to-use

interface





This happens

when some

information is

missing





It is essential for

understanding the data.

Everyone needs to

understand the

advantages and

disadvantages of the

indicator

Do not forget metadata!

Interactivity in producing graphs challenges for producers ... · Interactivity in producing graphs –challenges for producers and data users 2 Daniel von Burg, Federal Statistical

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