Hink, J.K., Eustace, J.K., & Wogalter, M.S. (1998). Do grables enable the extraction of quantitative information better than pure graphs or tables?. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 22(6), 439-447.

Hink, J.; Eustace, J.; Wogalter, M.

1998

Hink, J.K., Eustace, J.K., & Wogalter, M.S. (1998). Do grables enable the extraction of quantitative information better than pure graphs or tables?. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 22(6), 439-447.

Previous research is equivocal regarding the most effective methods of presenting quantitative information displays. The differences in results may be due to numerous reasons including the display and inquiry type. This study examines several methods of displaying quantitative information (e.g., line graphs, line grables, bar charts, bar grables, tables, pie charts and pie grables) that were factorially crossed with different kinds of data extraction inquiries (i.e., questions about exact numerical quantities, comparisons, and trends). Grables are displays that combines features of graphs and tables including specific numerical information with each graphically presented category. Results showed that tables, bar grables and line grables produced the fewest errors, and line graphs and bar charts produced the fastest responses across question types. Error rates combining the accuracy and time (i.e., errors/s) were lowest for the three grables and table. Results are discussed with respect to prior theoretical work and the potential benefits of hybrid forms of quantitative displays for multiple kinds of data extraction inquiries

Results showed that tables, bar grables and line grables produced the fewest errors, and line graphs and bar charts produced the fastest responses across question types. Error rates combining the accuracy and time (i.e., errors/s) were lowest for the three grables and table.

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