Lies, Data, and Visual Representation

How we interpret time-series data specifically, is dependent on the format chosen by the designer to show that visually presented data. While the use of data in a visual format grows for the apparent ease of understanding, so does the challenge of making sure the public consuming that data understands how to read charts to begin with. UCLA Anderson’s Stephen A. Spiller, University of Colorado’s Nicholas Reinholtz and University of Toronto’s Sam J. Maglio find, in research forthcoming in Management Science, that even in the absence of visual trickery or misleading infographics, the viewer’s judgment can still be swayed by the designer’s choice in how they visually presented data.