Age Matters: Demographic-based Perceptions of Included Location Information

Abstract. Understanding how individuals perceive the importance of location information is critical for improving the communication of spatial data. This study investigates how demographic factors, particularly age, affect the perceived significance of location in different contexts. Using survey data from 101 UK-based participants, we analysed responses to questions assessing the informativeness of location relative to other contextual data (e.g., time, source, quantity) in scenarios involving pollution and sexual crime statistics. The results indicate that age is a key determinant in evaluating location information, with older participants placing greater emphasis on location for pollution data, while gender emerged as more influential in the context of sexual crime. Education showed minimal impact. These findings suggest that location perceptions vary between different age groups and contexts, with implications for tailoring location-based information presentation to diverse audiences. Future research should explore adaptive strategies for communicating spatial data across demographic groups to enhance comprehension and decision-making.