Designer's Corner - The Use of Metaphor Graphics to Depict Sleep Research Results

Abstract

The major barriers to research utilization in nursing are well documented (Polit & Hungler, 1998). One of these barriers is the complex nature of research. Many nurses are not familiar with the highly technical language of research and the types of graphics that researchers use to communicate research findings to one another. To facilitate the increased use of research, it is critical that mechanisms be developed to improve dissemination of research results to nurses in clinical practice. Background In an effort to find alternative approaches to displaying research results, "metaphor graphics" (Cole, 1988) was explored. Cole introduced metaphor graphics a decade ago as a novel way of graphically representing knowledge. He proposed that, as an alternative to traditional line graphs and pie-charts, data be summarized using visual metaphors - i.e., abstract signs and symbols - to show patterns and convey meaning. Viewing human beings as imperfect processors of information who tend to reason using pattern recognition and mental models, Cole hypothesized that visual metaphors would improve the uptake of scientific information.