We live in a world where data is omnipresent. With a plethora of dashboards, charts, and infographics at our fingertips, it's easy to assume that we're more informed than ever before. However, this influx of data visualizations can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can offer quick insights and simplify complex information; on the other, they can mislead, confuse, and result in misinformation. This is especially true when the visualizations are encountered in an ad hoc manner, like on social media, news articles, or blogs. These are more prone to causing misinformation compared to when we ask specific analytical questions and seek visualizations tailor-made for them.
The Pitfalls of Ad Hoc Visualizations
Lack of Context
The greatest disadvantage of ad hoc visualizations is that they are often devoid of context. Unlike academic papers or professional reports, or when visualizations are created specifically based off your analytical questions, these visuals don't always come with accompanying text that provides background information, data source, or methodology. This lack of context can lead viewers to make false assumptions and draw incorrect conclusions.
Sensationalism Over Accuracy
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