Using Visual Data to Compare & Contrast the Evidence in Your Cases

Our first post in this series, Using Data Visualization to Effectively Communicate The Details of Your Cases, we broke down why data visualization is so important in simplifying the complex information of your case. There are a number of questions to consider before choosing which data exhibit will be the most powerful and effective, and these concepts are broken down into more detail in part 1.

We also discussed examples and circumstances in which informational graphics can be applied. Here, we break down graphics that we would apply to compare & contrast your data, and what cases and situations in which these data visualizations are the most effective in communicating your message.

A viable tactic we utilize to communicate the data in your case clearly is COMPARE & CONTRAST graphics.

When you want to visually compare data and categories, illustrate a particular relationship, highlight differences and similarities, or represent certain quantities and/or proportions, using compare & contrast visuals can be extraordinarily helpful in clarifying your message.

Consider these questions before we start collaborating on a design process that includes graphics that compare & contrast:

• What data points need to be compared with one another?
• What question(s) should the data clearly answer?
• What new question(s) do we want the data to reveal?
• Why is the outcome of presenting the material this way important?
• What similarities or differences do we want to highlight?

Our team will collaborate with you to design a cohesive informational graphic that effectively showcases and highlights data in a way that’s simple and easy for your audience to understand.

When you have multiple data points that reflect volume, quantity, percentage at one point in time, or need to compare different data that occurred on different dates, bar charts are the best option for a simple easy-to-absorb visualization. The eye easily is drawn to high or low numbers and how they may reflect a status, deficits, abnormalities, or variations from the norm. A bar chart allows a viewer to easily compare a wide range of categories and significant variations in one simple graph, and we can display them vertically or horizontally.

A butterfly chart is similar to a bar chart as identified above, however we would use this data visual to display information side by side. This chart shows viewers at a quick glance the significant differences between two different data sets with the same parameters. If you want to compare two sets of data that fall under similar parameters, the butterfly chart is an excellent option to collaborate with us on.

An easy and effective way to display a certain set of values or measurements is to have our team design a bubble chart. The bubbles vary in size depending on the data, making it easy to see what the relationships are at a single point in time. Bubble charts can also be used to view progression of a relationship over time, to compare and contrast size, quantity, and volume. This chart style is a quick way for the viewer to understand relevant relationships at a glance.

Matrix graphs allow you to show the relationship between multiple items, and can show if a relationship at the intersection between those items is present or absent. You can also utilize a matrix to provide additional information about a particular relationship that you want to show, such as the roles played by key individuals, and the significance of certain actions or delays on vitals and outcomes. Our team can take a wide range of complex data and organize it in an easy-to-understand visual form through matrix graphs.

A pie chart can be used as a visual graph when you need to illustrate a numerical proportion or percentage of a single type of data. Each visual “pie slice” of the graph is equivalent to the quantity it represents (if the percentage is low, the slice is smaller). There are different variations of how this type of graph can be presented, and our experts can collaborate with you to apply your data in the visually cohesive way that is best for your case.

When the sum of each value in your data set is just as important as the individual items you want to illustrate, stack graphs are your best bet. In the example below, the volume of blood in each graph is important in each different circumstance and reflects significant changes detrimental to the health of the baby or patient. Stack graphs easily show multiple values and how they change over time depending on the circumstance or event, and we can divide the graphs into unique display types to communicate the message important to your story.

Contrast graphics communicate two concepts or data sets side-by-side. Our team would apply this data visualization technique when you want to clearly show how these two sets of data are similar, or ways that they are different. Although a simple method, contrast graphics enhance the information you want to show into creating a powerful and lasting impression.

MediVisuals + High Impact’s team of visual strategists, artists and developers can build and customize your digital presentation for any case involving personal injury, medical malpractice, birth trauma - or any subject involving complex information.

Interested in working with us? Click here to get started. If you'd prefer, you can email us or call us at (800) 749 2184.