School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA.
Inform Health Soc Care. 2020 Jan;45(1):31-42. doi: 10.1080/17538157.2018.1540422. Epub 2018 Nov 16.
Visual representations of data have increasingly included color-encodings to help engage participants in health research. However, there is limited information on the way in which participants interpret color or on the influence of embedded cultural interpretations of color on survey responses. This study examines the interpretation of color-encodings used to indicate survey response options and their impact on participants' responses. Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, interviews were conducted with 30 older Hmong adults from one Midwestern city in the United States. A survey data collection method was developed using: (a) an Audio-Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing tool with (b) text-based and color-encoded response options and (c) assistance from a familiar helper. We analyzed the responses using directed content analysis. Findings reveal that some colors (red, black, and white) have strong cultural connotations; such colors were strongly correlated with specific emotions, while others (green, blue, purple, and pink) had no cultural meaning. Early in the survey, some older Hmong were distracted by response options indicated in red and black, influencing their response choices. However, with repeated instructions from the helpers, all participants overcame the color-related distractions and completed the survey. The findings highlight the importance of using colors cautiously and purposively in visualization development.
数据的可视化表示越来越多地包括颜色编码，以帮助参与健康研究的人员参与其中。然而，关于参与者如何解释颜色的信息有限，或者关于颜色的嵌入式文化解释对调查反应的影响的信息也有限。本研究考察了用于表示调查反应选项的颜色编码的解释及其对参与者反应的影响。本研究采用描述性、横断面设计，对来自美国中西部一个城市的 30 名老年苗族成年人进行了访谈。使用以下方法开发了调查数据收集方法：(a) 带有(b)基于文本和颜色编码的反应选项的音频计算机辅助自我访谈工具，以及(c)熟悉助手的协助。我们使用定向内容分析对响应进行了分析。研究结果表明，某些颜色（红色、黑色和白色）具有强烈的文化内涵；这些颜色与特定的情绪强烈相关，而其他颜色（绿色、蓝色、紫色和粉红色）则没有文化意义。在调查的早期，一些老年苗族人被红色和黑色表示的反应选项分散了注意力，影响了他们的反应选择。然而，在助手的多次指导下，所有参与者都克服了与颜色相关的干扰并完成了调查。研究结果强调了在可视化开发中谨慎和有目的地使用颜色的重要性。
