Interpreting results
Infographics
'Infographic' is short for information graphic. It packs several charts into one picture so you can take it in at a glance ā which is a strength and a risk.
What an infographic is
An INFOGRAPHIC is a visual representation of information or data. Its job is to show information QUICKLY and CLEARLY. It usually combines several small charts, big numbers and pictures in one design. For example, one showing that over half (50%) of women go for a walk every day, against 45% of men, makes the comparison instantly.
Reading one properly
An infographic has several parts, and each answers a different question. For a village's adults: ā¢ One chart shows 58% women, 42% men. ā¢ Another shows age groups: 18ā34 ā 31%, 35ā44 ā 20%, 45ā54 ā 23%, 55+ ā 26%. Work out which chart answers the question BEFORE reading any numbers off. The parts are separate ā you cannot combine them unless the infographic says you can.
From percentage to a real number
Infographics usually give percentages, so you often need to convert back. There are 650 adults, and 20% are 35ā44. Find 10% first: 10% of 650 = 65 20% = 2 Ć 65 = 130 So 130 adults are 35ā44. Finding 10% and building up is quicker than any other route.
Reading them critically
Because infographics are designed to persuade, be a careful reader. ā¢ Check whether percentages add to 100%. ā¢ Check what the total actually was ā 50% of 6 people is not big news. ā¢ Watch for a picture that is drawn much bigger than its number deserves. A good infographic makes true things obvious. A bad one makes small things look large.
Worked examples
What percentage of adults are women?
- Use the left-hand chart, which splits men and women.
Answer: 58%
What percentage are 55 or older?
- Use the age chart.
- Read the bottom bar.
Answer: 26%
Which age group has the highest percentage?
- Find the longest bar in the age chart.
Answer: 18ā34, at 31%
650 adults, 20% aged 35ā44 ā how many people?
- 10% of 650 = 65.
- 20% = 2 Ć 65 = 130.
Answer: 130 adults
What does 'infographic' stand for?
- It is a shortened form of two words.
Answer: Information graphic
Why check the total behind a percentage?
- A percentage hides how many people it came from.
- 50% of 6 is only 3.
Answer: Because a big percentage of a tiny group is not big news
Where you see this in real life
- Public-health campaigns use infographics so one poster carries the message without any reading.
- Sports coverage shows possession, shots and passes as one graphic, because a table would lose most viewers.
Key words
- Infographic
- a picture that presents information or data
- Percentage
- a number out of 100
- Interpret
- work out what data is telling you
- Represent
- stand for something in a picture or chart
- Data
- the facts or numbers collected