The effectiveness of computer graphics for decision support

Abstract

This research uses meta---analysis, a quantitative literature review technique, to integrate and combine the results fromseveral presentation format studies. The motivation behind this research is twofold: the conflicting research results found in the literature, and the lack of a cumulative body of knowledge. Meta---analysis is a research technique that provides a means for cumulating research findings across studies. In addition, meta-analysis can resolve differences found in previous studies by isolating the effect of moderator variables. This research found very strong evidence of the existence of one moderator variable, task complexity, which may have resulted in reported inconsistencies from prior presentation format research. Furthermore, an inverted "U---shaped" curve may explain the relationship between the effectiveness of graphs and task complexity. Specifically, using graphical data achieves better decision---making performance when the task is moderately complex. When the task complexity is either too low or too high, there is no performance difference between graphical and tabular presentation formats.