Media visualization of science: Typology of scientific press infographics

Abstract

This article explores the informative treatment of the infographics of the international press to undertake the communication and dissemination processes of facts related to Science and Technology (S&T) in an efficient way. The integration of a content analysis method, applied to a selected sample of best practices in the field of infographics from newspapers and magazines, that have received international recognition through the Malofiej awards (N =149), were analyzed and coded in order to identify characteristics and detailed patterns based on three axes of study: the informative approach (what is said?), the graphic objects and their correspondence (how do you say?) and the role played by the infographics (what is it for?). The results indicate that these informative pieces use different informative approaches, that reflect in their messages, which lead to the particular use of certain expression resources (graphic objects), jointly performing diverse communication functions on the part of the issuer with respect to the public to which is directed. All the above led to the formation and description of three scientific models for press infographics.