Writing criteria to evaluate visualisation design ideas

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which criterion is better for judging a visualisation design idea?

A The chart lets Year 10 students compare weekly canteen sales for each food category

B The chart looks nice

2. Which criterion is linked to the research question 'Does screen time affect sleep hours for Year 11 students?'

A The design uses the school colours throughout

B The design shows screen time and sleep hours together so a relationship can be seen

3. Which criterion is linked to the audience of Year 7 students with limited graph experience?

A The design uses simple chart types and plain labels that Year 7 students can read without help

B The design uses a complex multi-axis chart to show every detail

4. Which wording is ratable?

A The chart is good for users

B Each axis has a label and a unit, so all axes are labelled (yes or no)

5. Which statement about evaluation criteria is true?

A They are written from the research question, audience and requirements

B They are written after choosing a favourite design to make it win

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Criterion: The chart shows monthly sales for each region so the research question can be answered.		ARequirement: show data by month. Criterion: the design displays all 12 months on one axis.
2Criterion: Year 7 students can read the main trend within 10 seconds without help.		BVague wording that cannot be rated with evidence and is not linked to the research question, audience or requirements.
3A ratable criterion uses wording that can be scored with evidence, such as a count or a test		CCriterion: At least 4 of 5 test users find the highest value in under 15 seconds.
4A criterion drawn from a requirement turns it into a statement used to rate each design idea		DNot linked to the audience, so it measures the designer's taste and not whether the audience can use the visualisation.
5Criterion: The design looks good.		EA criterion linked to the research question
6Criterion: The design is something the designer likes.		FA criterion linked to the audience and worded so it can be rated

Definitions

evaluation criteria

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Source: _________________ Criterion: Shows sales for each month

Source: ________ Criterion: Text suits Year 7 readers

Criterion: Shows sales for each month Rate each idea 1 to 5 and give ________

Source: ___________ Criterion: Chart updates when data changes

Weak: The chart looks good _______: Uses no more than 3 colours

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A RQ: Does sleep affect marks?

B Audience: Year 10 students

C C1: Shows sleep and marks

D C2: Looks nice and modern

Question 2

A RQ: Which house earns most?

B Audience: Year 7 parents

C C1: Uses a pie chart

D Rating: 1-5 with evidence

Question 3

A RQ: Is rainfall rising?

B C1: Shows temperature by day

C Audience: Local farmers

D Rate each idea 1-5

Question 4

A Audience: Everyone

B C1: Labels are 14pt or larger

C C2: Uses no jargon for Year 7s

D Rate each 1-5 with evidence

Question 5

A C1: Is colourful and fun

B C2: Highlights the top sport

C Rating: 1-5 with evidence

Answer Key

Writing criteria to evaluate visualisation design ideas

Section A: Quick Questions

A — The chart lets Year 10 students compare weekly canteen sales for each food category

B — The design shows screen time and sleep hours together so a relationship can be seen

A — The design uses simple chart types and plain labels that Year 7 students can read without help

B — Each axis has a label and a unit, so all axes are labelled (yes or no)

A — They are written from the research question, audience and requirements

Section B: Match the Pairs

Criterion: The chart shows monthly sales for each region so the research question can be answered. → A criterion linked to the research question

Criterion: Year 7 students can read the main trend within 10 seconds without help. → A criterion linked to the audience and worded so it can be rated

A ratable criterion uses wording that can be scored with evidence, such as a count or a test → Criterion: At least 4 of 5 test users find the highest value in under 15 seconds.

A criterion drawn from a requirement turns it into a statement used to rate each design idea → Requirement: show data by month. Criterion: the design displays all 12 months on one axis.

Criterion: The design looks good. → Vague wording that cannot be rated with evidence and is not linked to the research question, audience or requirements.

Criterion: The design is something the designer likes. → Not linked to the audience, so it measures the designer's taste and not whether the audience can use the visualisation.

Section C: Definitions

evaluation criteria — Statements written from the research question, audience and requirements, worded so each visualisation design idea can be rated with evidence.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Source: research question
Criterion: Shows sales for each month

Source: audience
Criterion: Text suits Year 7 readers

Criterion: Shows sales for each month
Rate each idea 1 to 5 and give evidence

Source: requirement
Criterion: Chart updates when data changes

Weak: The chart looks good
Ratable: Uses no more than 3 colours

Section E: Spot the Error

D — This criterion is vague and has no link to the audience or the research question, so it can't be rated with evidence. It should be specific, e.g. 'C2: Year 10s can read labels'.

C — A criterion should judge how well an idea meets the research question, not prescribe one chart type. It should be 'C1: Compares points by house'.

B — The criterion is not linked to the research question, which is about rainfall over time. It should be 'C1: Shows rainfall by year'.

A — 'Everyone' is too broad to judge a design against. Criteria need a specific audience, e.g. 'Audience: Year 7 students'.

A — 'Colourful and fun' is not linked to the research question about which sport has the most fans, and it is hard to rate with evidence. It should be 'C1: Shows fans for each sport'.