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Merging Graphics and Text to Better Convey Experimental Results: Designing an “Enhanced Bar Graph”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

William D. Berry  and
Matthew Hauenstein
William D. Berry
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Matthew Hauenstein
Affiliation:
Florida State University
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Abstract

We propose a format for presenting experimental results that combines a graph’s strength in facilitating general-pattern recognition with a table’s strength in displaying numerical results. The format supplements a conventional bar graph with additional text labels and graphics but also can be based on a dot plot. The resulting enhanced bar graph conveys general patterns about treatment effects; displays point estimates and confidence intervals for all key quantities of interest relevant to testing hypotheses (e.g., first differences in the mean of the dependent variable); and clarifies the interpretation of these quantities as treatment effects. Presenting information in a single figure avoids the need to devote scarce journal space to both a graph and a table. Moreover, an enhanced bar graph prevents readers from having to move back and forth between a graph and a table of numerical results—thereby reducing their cognitive load and facilitating their understanding of the findings.

Type
Articles
Information
PS: Political Science & Politics , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , July 2017 , pp. 831 - 836
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 2017 

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