Scientific design: evaluating the contribution of design in the interpretation of scientific images

Abstract

This study seeks to quantify the impact of applying design concepts on the transmission of the information contained in scientific images. Members of the academic public were shown sets of six images, one of which had been developed by the researchers and another that was redone by a designer. Participants, who were selected based on their academic background and training area, answered a quantitative questionnaire on the information presented in the images. The original researcher-developed images received a significantly lower score of 3.335 (95% CI: 3.269–3.401) than those reworked by the designer, which received a score of 4.147 (95% CI: 4.095–4.199). Additionally, fewer participants stated that the designer's images needed additional description, and more participants reported that they experimented with a new data source. Area of training and academic background played a role in these differences. This study helps to quantify the capacity for improvement in publicizing scientific findings and the potential applicability of design concepts.