The Effects of Violations of Bar Chart Standards on Managerial Decision Making

This thesis investigated whether a difference in data display, modes or a difference in data trends affected mid-level Air Force managers trend impressions, risk assessments. and loan decisions. By presenting data in four different modes, and by three data trends, a 4 x 3 factorial design experiment was prepared 180 subjects were tested, 15 in each of the twelve treatment cells. Each subject viewed three graphs or tables and made a decision based on the trend observed, their assessment of the trend, and a decision table. At the end of the experiment. they were asked for their impression of the trend and their assessment of the risk involved in each of the three data sets. The subjects also completed a demographic questionnaire. Using an automated statistical analysis package, a multifactor analysis of variance was conducted. It was shown that mode of presentation did have an effect on the subjects loan decisions, trend impressions, and risk assessments. Trend type was also a significant factor in each response category. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted on the demographic data for each area. It was found that age, gender. area of expertise, and graphics training were significant factors in some response areas