Communicative Information Visualizations: How to make data more understandable by the general public

Although data visualizations have been around for centuries and are encountered frequently by the general public, existing evidence suggests that a significant portion of people have difficulty understanding and interpreting them. It might not seem like a big problem when a reader misreads a weather map and finds themselves without an umbrella in a rainstorm, but for those who lack the means, experience, or ability to make sense of data, misreading a data visualization concerning public health and safety could be a matter of life and death. However, figuring out how to make visualizations truly usable for a diverse audience remains difficult. In my thesis, I examined three areas where altering current practices may help make data visualizations more understandable and impactful in the future

High School Teacher and Librarian Perspectives Regarding Teaching Digital Media Skills

The problem addressed in this qualitative project study was the inconsistency in media literacy instruction provided by high school teachers and librarians when teaching students how to curate and create digital media. With the increase in technology and social media platforms in the 21st century, educators are expected to instruct students in the use of these new literacies. However, many are ill-prepared to teach media literacy. The study was grounded in the conceptual framework of critical media literacy pedagogy and research questions were designed to reflect teachers’ perspectives about and use of elements of critical media literacy pedagogy. A purposeful sampling procedure was used to identify those teachers of English and librarians who had taught at the high school level for at least 1 year in the partner district. Interviews with 10 high school English teachers and one librarian were conducted using a basic inquiry research design. Data analysis involved 2 cycles of coding, a priori coding and axial coding, followed by theme development. The findings from this study reflected 3 themes that indicated a lack of specific curriculum, district policy, and support for the teaching of media literacy. The resulting project based on elements of these themes was a curriculum plan that spans Grades 9–12. The plan is comprised of unit and lesson plans that apply research-based pedagogy and scaffolded technology skills, which can be implemented in conjunction with the current district curriculum. This curriculum will inform best practices for teaching media literacy which will impact the school culture as teachers implement it and affect the local community by providing students the media literacy tools to be positive social change agents

EXPLORING VISUAL PREVENTION: DEVELOPING INFOGRAPHICS AS EFFECTIVE CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the creation of a cervical cancer health prevention infographic, geared toward African American women ages 30 to 65, to be potentially used to raise health literacy and influence positive behaviors towards practicing prevention measures—ultimately preventing unnecessary deaths. This dissertation also produced a cervical cancer health prevention infographic prototype for African American Women ages 30 to 65 to be further tested and implemented within future health communication campaigns. Cervical Cancer is both preventable and treatable (if diagnosed during early stages); therefore the amount of individuals dying from the cancer should be minimal. Still, African American Women in this study’s target health population are dying from Cervical Cancer the most. Existing research highlights that social determinants of health (like income, education and literacy) play varying roles as barriers to prevention (Baldwin, 1996; J. L. Davis et al., 2013; Egbert & Parrott, 2001; Ford et al., 2013; McKinnon, Harper, & Moore, 2011; Sung, Alema-Mensah, & Blumenthal, 2002; Williams & Templin, 2013). . This dissertation specifically focuses on targeting the potential to increase health literacy on Cervical Cancer to potentially positively influence prevention uptake. Drawing upon fields like health communication, visual communication and social science research, this research endeavor presents an interdisciplinary approach to potentially solving health communication issue within an at-risk population. The theoretical framework in guiding infographic production for this dissertation was the Health Belief Model, which is widely used in health communication research to assess failure of prevention uptake (du Pré, 2014; Glanz et al., 2005; Maibach & Parrott, 1995; Rosenstock, 2000). The Health Belief Model in conjunction with existing literature regarding health literacy, cultural stigma and relevance in communication campaigns geared toward African American Women ages 30 to 65, infographic content was created and presented to study participants via six interactive focus groups. The focus group methodology of qualitative research allowed for 17 study participants to confidentially engage in dialogue with peers concerning the issue at hand while also helping to create the content hierarchy, enhance and suggest visuals, colors and themes of the proposed infographic. Iterative data analysis approaches allow for constant assessment of study outcomes and themes. This study produces theoretical, practical and methodological implications for future research on the lacking area of scholarly literature. Findings from this dissertation suggest a need to (1) test the proposed infographic for potential national health campaign usage, (2) a need for more long-term collaborative community efforts for continual population access in research on Cervical Cancer prevention, and (3) future assessment of a newer form of focus group research that focuses on incorporation smaller participant groups for increased hands-on interactivity

"My Heels Are Better Than Yours"

The role that technology plays in our lives is rapidly growing. We are becoming increasingly dependent on and less willing to separate ourselves from our devices. The rise of wearable technology has been fueled by technology’s tendency to get faster and smaller. In the fashion industry, luxury brands have focused on exclusivity that includes bespoke fashion, high levels of craftsmanship, and high-quality materials. However, a subtle shift is starting as luxury brands look to technology, and wearable technology in particular, as a means of providing exclusive, customized products. The high-heeled shoe is an important part of the luxury shoe market, but high heels can cause discomfort and more serious health problems for the wearer. This research project explores the possibility of a wearable-based web data visualization application that offers an approach for female to wear comfortable high-heeled footwear, while it also provides possibility of customized services for luxury brand fashion footwear

Thrive: Success Strategies for the Modern-Day Faculty Member

The THRIVE collection is intended to help faculty thrive in their roles as educators, scholars, researchers, and clinicians. Each section contains a variety of thought-provoking topics that are designed to be easily digested, guide personal reflection, and put into action. Please use the THRIVE collection to help: Individuals study topics on their own, whenever and wherever they want Peer-mentoring or other learning communities study topics in small groups Leaders and planners strategically insert faculty development into existing meetings Faculty identify campus experts for additional learning, grand rounds, etc. If you have questions or want additional information on a topic, simply contact the article author or email [email protected]://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/facdev_books/1000/thumbnail.jp

Creating digital materials for Antimicrobial Resistance One Health awareness and behaviour change for Rhodes University peer educators

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent, global health problem that stems from the inappropriate use of and poor adherence to antibiotics that treat diseases in human beings. It is further exacerbated by the proliferation of antibiotics into the food chain, particularly from the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agricultural, meat, and dairy production. The recently developed World Health Organisation (WHO) One Health (OH) approach encompasses and acknowledges the various interconnected pathways that drive AMR between the human, animal, and environmental spheres. Until recently, AMR health challenges have been viewed primarily through a biomedical lens, but this study draws on the more holistic perspective that the One Health approach offers. AMR from food sources (AMR-OH) is an underrepresented topic of research. Creating digital health communication for low-literate end-users on this topic using the One Health approach is an emerging field of research. AMR-OH has not been extensively covered in health communication campaigns and requires developing context-specific digital educational materials, such as the ones this study presents. This study draws on Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) theory elements to create a suggested approach to disseminate AMR-OH information. This intervention was aimed at low-health-literate end-users to accomplish two objectives. First, create awareness and improve knowledge about AMR-OH via a video. Second, offer feasible, easily implementable behaviour change actions in the form of an infographic comprising four food safety steps (Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill). The study was conducted in three phases. First, recruit participants and conduct a literature review to identify the effective SBCC elements of health communication intervention design. Second, conduct a needs assessment to gauge the volunteering participants’ familiarity with digital media and their current health literacy on AMR-OH. Third, conceptualise and design the two AMR-OH digital educational materials (a video and accompanying infographic). The materials were first evaluated by the researcher using the Clear Communication Index (CCI) test, and then shared with the participants via WhatsApp to be evaluated by them, using two end-user tests: the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) test. These two tests assessed the materials’ readability, understandability, and actionability. A post-evaluation, semi-structured interview (SSI) was then conducted with the participants. Deductive thematic analysis was conducted on the SSI data and analysed using the five design benchmarks as themes: Ease of Use of Technology, Clarity of Content, Appropriate Format, Target Audience Resonance (Appropriate for target audience), and Clear calls to Action (Actionable). The rapid onset of COVID-19 restrictions forced the project to scale down and shift entirely online. The study could be conducted due to the active and enthusiastic virtual participation of two Rhodes University Peer Educators (PEs) whose contribution was vital to developing and evaluating the materials. The needs assessment showed that the PEs were comfortable using WhatsApp, had reliable internet connection when on campus, and used this social media platform for professional and personal communication. This assessment also showed that they had prior knowledge of AMR but only from the human health perspective. The video and infographic scored high on the Clear Communication Index, 93.3% and 94.4%, respectively. The PEs’ evaluation of the materials was also high on the PEMAT and SAM assessments: video narration (100%, 80% respectively), video (100%, 99% respectively), and infographic (86%, 90% respectively). This study produced an easy-to-use, accessible and appropriate online repository of AMR-OH information in a novel format with actionable steps. The post-evaluation SSI revealed that the materials and the channel of delivery were welcomed. The PEs expressed their confidence in receiving, using, and sharing this novel presentation of evidence and solutions-based information about AMR-OH. They further highlighted that this is the first time they have received and evaluated context-specific digital multimedia about AMR-OH and that this information equipped them to adopt the food safety behaviours – namely, the four food safety steps. This study demonstrates that the theory-informed creation of engaging digital media for AMR-OH is feasible and viable. Furthermore, it affirms that engaging digital media for AMR-OH can be created to enhance the knowledge of end-users about this health issue. The scaled-down approach created a blueprint to implement a more extensive intervention in the future, informed by this intervention’s methods and tools. Lastly, this blueprint for a particular conceptualisation of an AMR-OH digital media intervention provides effective and empowering tools with which the PEs can disseminate this information to the university's support staff.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 202