This paper discusses the need for an
integrative literature review on data visualizations,
particularly in health and medical contexts. The paper
analyzes 25 studies across disciplines. The findings
suggest there is little agreement on the best way to
visualize complex data for lay audiences, but some
emerging effective practices are being develop.
Pictographs, icon arrays, and bar charts seem to hold
promise for comprehension by users, and visualizations
need to be kept as simple as possible with attention to
integrating other design features such as headings and
legends. The review ends with five specific research
areas in which technical and professional
communicators should focus their attention on
empirical studies that examine: interactive displays,
merge attention and comprehension, look at numeracy
and risk and finally, cross health and medical subjects.