Figures, and Charts, and Tables, Oh My!: A Content Analysis of Textbook Data Visualizations

Abstract

Textbooks offer instructors an opportunity to promote data visualization and statistical literacy throughout the sociology curriculum. In this study, we examined 463 data visualizations from 27 textbooks for Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, and intermediate elective courses to illuminate the range of figures and their use of statistical data and numerical variables. We find that textbooks rely on a narrow range of figures (e.g., bar/column charts and tables) and statistical data (e.g., percentages). Introduction to Sociology textbooks used more frequent and more varied figures, and Social Problems textbooks used a broader range of statistics and numerical variables. In contrast, intermediate-level textbooks presented more measures of central tendency in their figures. Overall, our results suggest textbooks could better integrate and scaffold a broader range of figures, statistical data, and numerical variables. We conclude with resources for integrating data visualization for instructors.