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Table 1 Summary of applied tools’ focuses and extracted principles

From: A process for creating data report-back tools to improve equity in environmental health

Tool

Focus

Principles Extracted

Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) [46]

Literacy demand

1. Use short sentences.

2. Use words with fewer than three syllables where possible.

3. Use audience-friendly language (rather than jargon).

PMOSE/IKIRSCH [47]

Document complexity

1. Use few labels and items per graphic.

2. Organize labels and items simply.

3. Do not refer to information outside of the page (each page has all information needed).

Apter’s Hierarchy [48]

Numeracy demand

1. Use few mathematical constructs within the material.

2. If mathematical constructs are necessary, reduce the level of numerical mastery (decision making, interpretation, or description) required of the material user.

3. Include only numeracy elements that are critical to the communication goals of the material.

4. Include multiple interpretations (qualitative/verbal, quantitative, and visual) of the numeracy components.

Visualizing Health [49]

Visual risk communication

1. Identify the communication goal of each data visualization based on:

a. The amount of detail to be conveyed (i.e., gist vs. verbatim),

b. The risk message (i.e., risk tradeoffs, differences in likelihood, raising/lowering concerns, classifying risks, or awareness of risk),

c. The data to be communicated (such as risk estimate or test result).

2. Employ the graphical best practices identified by Visualizing Health to tailor data visualizations to meet the outlined goals from above.