What do you think is the difference between using data and using other objective characteristics of things like color or shape? Data are just things that have a measured size. A graph is just a translation of words about these things into a shorter and faster language through pictures that make it possible. Anything can be used to prove or create doubt, to convince, to entertain, etc.
You can also write about the fact that the earth is flat in words and add a picture to demonstrate it. :)
There is nothing in data and data visualization in this respect that is different from any other means of communication. It is a text about things that we decide what to write in this text.
I think the difference is that data is commonly used to make people more certain about something. The “hard evidence.” The rhetoric is different. Words tends to be perceived more like opinions and subjective, whereas data as neutral and objective.
What do you think is the difference between using data and using other objective characteristics of things like color or shape? Data are just things that have a measured size. A graph is just a translation of words about these things into a shorter and faster language through pictures that make it possible. Anything can be used to prove or create doubt, to convince, to entertain, etc.
You can also write about the fact that the earth is flat in words and add a picture to demonstrate it. :)
There is nothing in data and data visualization in this respect that is different from any other means of communication. It is a text about things that we decide what to write in this text.
I think the difference is that data is commonly used to make people more certain about something. The “hard evidence.” The rhetoric is different. Words tends to be perceived more like opinions and subjective, whereas data as neutral and objective.