An investigation into data visualisation interpretations by Albanian individuals in the UK

This study explores the interpretations of three data visualisations by individuals of the Albanian diaspora in the United Kingdom. Literature concerning data visual literacy is in its nascency, and has yet to emerge with the nuance provided in this research, particularly concerning its exclusion of non-native English speakers and culturally specific populations. Thus, this research addresses these existing gaps by examining how Albanian participants interpret and engage with three data visualisations of varying complexity: a choropleth map, a line graph, and a radar chart. The findings centre on the responses provided by the participants of the study ( n = 18) via recorded and transcribed interviews. The findings reveal a spectrum of potential visual literacy levels influenced by the complexity of the provided visualisation and subjective lived experiences. No clear trends emerged between participants’ backgrounds and their ability to interpret the visualisations. This research foregrounds future research exploring diverse or minority populations and encourages the development of strategies for fostering visual literacy.