Where Maps Lie: Visualization of Perceptual Fallacy in Choropleth Maps at Different Levels of Aggregation

This paper proposes a method for quantitative evaluation of perception deviations due to generalization in choropleth maps. The method proposed is based on comparison of class values assigned to different aggregation units chosen for representing the same dataset. It is illustrated by the results of application of the method to population density maps of Lithuania. Three spatial aggregation levels were chosen for comparison: the 1 × 1 km statistical grid, elderships (NUTS3), and municipalities (NUTS2). Differences in density class values between the reference grid map and the other two maps were calculated. It is demonstrated that a perceptual fallacy on the municipality level population map of Lithuania leads to a misinterpretation of data that makes such maps frankly useless. The eldership level map is, moreover, also largely misleading, especially in sparsely populated areas. The method proposed is easy to use and transferable to any other field where spatially aggregated data are mapped. It can be used for visual analysis of the degree to which a generalized choropleth map is liable to mislead the user in particular areas.

Using the EISTL Model to Structure Citation Trends of Research in JMIR mHealth and uHealth: Bibliometric Analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The citation trend of research has frequently been applied to topical entities of interest in bibliographical studies. Although the burst spot and the corresponding burst strength can be highlighted in the traditional temporal bar graph (TBG) as viewing their evolutions of entities, no such growth trends were added to the TBG for a better understanding of future tremd (e.g., reading to rise, increasing, decreasing, or slowdown). A step-by-step scheme for constructing the bibliographical study is thus required to make data meaningful and fruitful. OBJECTIVE This article assesses (1) whether an EISTL model (i.e., identifying the topical entity, indicator, selection of top entities, TBG, and using the line-chart plot for verification) can be applied to display the trend analysis of article citations for entities and (2) whether the TBG can be enhanced to release more valuable information for readers. METHODS We obtained 2,151 abstracts indexed in PubMed by searching the keywords “JMIR mHealth and uHealth” (Journal) on November 11, 2021. The metadata was collected, including author names, research institutes, article identifiers (PMIDs), countries, and medical subject headings (MeSH terms). The burst spot and the growth trend were displayed along with the inflection point (IP) using the Newton–Raphson Iteration Method (NRIM) and the growth/share matrix (GSM). Cooccurrence analysis was performed to select the top-cited entities using social network analysis (SNA) and Sankey diagrams. The TBG plays a transitive role before drawing the line-chart plot in the EISTL model. Both choropleth map and Kano diagram were used to compare and classify research achievements (RA) for countries using the x-index. The differences in RAs were compared between two groups (i.e., participants of Summit for Democracy (SFD) 2021 and Non-SFD) using the forest plot. All animation-typed dashboards were laid on Google Maps for readers to manipulate entities of interest on their own. RESULTS The burst spot and citation trend for the top entities were selected and displayed on the TBG. The most cited entities were sequentially shown in the Sankey diagram, including Stoyan R Stoyanov (Australia), Queensland University of Technology (Australia), PMID=25760773, the US, and standards (MeSH). The top three most cited counties/regions were highlighted in a choropleth map and Kano diagram using the x-index to stratify in descending order: Australia, the UK, and Canada with x-indexes of 23.26, 22.21, and 21.42, respectively, when the US and China were divided into individual states and provinces for comparison. Differences in the six selective bibliometric metrics were not found (p>0.05) in countries between SFDs and non-SFDs. CONCLUSIONS We verified that (1) the EISTL model is viable and useful for presenting citation trends in bibliometric research, and (2) the improved TBG mode releases more information about citation trends. The EISTL model makes the bibliometrics clearer and easier to understand. As a corollary, the TBG with citation trends and burst spots is recommended for future bibliometrics and is not merely limited to the citation trends of the JMIR mHealth and uHealth, as we did in this study.

Questions to the Article: A Global Overview of COVID-19 Research in the Pediatric Field (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The article, published on 23 July 2021, is well-written and of interest, but remains several questions that are required for clarifications, such as (1) the static choropleth map of collaboration analysis between countries should be dynamically visualized and highlighted by top three countries on their publications and author collaboration characteristics; (2) the research achievements in authors, institutes, and countries should be quantified by author-weighted scheme considering author order in article bylines; and (3) keyword analysis was too simple to identify the difference in article types between countries. We downloaded 2,268 abstracts from the Pubmed database with a search string of (COVID-19[MeSH Major Topic]) AND (pediatrics[Affiliation]), similar to the mentioned study, and displayed (1) choropleth maps highlighted by the most productive and highly author-collaborated countries, and (2)forest plot to identify differences in article types between two countries. The medical subject headings(MeSH terms) were used to denote the article types in articles. We observed that (1) three top productive countries were the United States, Italy, and India; (2) three top countries collaborated the authors affiliated with the US were Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy; and (3) only the MeSH term of epidemiology presents the difference in article types between the US and India when the top 10 most frequently occurred MeSH terms were compared. We produced the dashboard-type visualizations to provide valuable information for readers. The novel visual representations make data clear with a better understanding of bibliographic analysis. The methods used in this study are recommended for future studies, not just limited to the field of COVID-19 research.

An Epidemiological Analysis of COVID-19 cases from Jan to July 2020 in Kelantan, Malaysia

As the global battle against COVID-19 rages on, Malaysia’s concerted effort in stemming the spread is commendable. This study characterized the epidemiology of COVID-19 aiming towards understanding the disease in a local setting for better preparation and management. A nation-based e-COVID reporting system was used to collect data on laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kelantan from January to July 2020. Information from investigation reports was also reviewed. Analyses comprised of the estimation of incidence and case-fatality rate, summary of demographic and clinical characteristics including the age and sex distributions, construction of the epidemiological curve and choropleth map, and appraisal of healthcare usage. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. A total of 166 cases reported in Kelantan until July 2020. Cases peaked during March before steadily declining and were concentrated in the capital. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 9.4/100,000 populations with a case-fatality rate of 2.4%. The median age was 37 years and 78% were male. The predominant symptoms were fever and cough while 25% of cases were asymptomatic. About 57% of cases were identified by active case detection and 97% had exposure risk. Potentially infected cases were isolated within a median of 7 days after exposure, even before the diagnosis. All cases were hospitalized with a median of 14 bed days, while 12% admitted to ICU, and 3% required mechanical ventilators. Significant factors for ICU admission were older age (AOR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.09, P = 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (AOR 4.55, 95% CI: 1.36, 15.25, P = 0.014). Although all ages appeared susceptible to COVID-19, older age and diabetic patients were more vulnerable. Kelantan’s targeted approaches of prompt identification and isolation of potentially infected individuals have been effective in limiting the transmission, allowing sufficient healthcare capacity in managing the pandemic.

Relational patterns in atlas cartography: educational-practical system of choropleth map

This article describes the relational concepts of modern “choropleth map relational pattern of atlas cartography”, presented as Educational-practical system of choropleth map (EPSCM). Such patterns and systems are needed to provide practically useful knowledge about thematic maps for the user groups such as: practical cartographers, students of cartographic specialties, developers of modern atlas systems and (maybe) unskilled users. In the work two kinds of choropleth map pattern relations are described. The epistemological (vertical) relations are defining repetitive relations between representations of choropleth map that exist in the three phases of choropleth map life cycle: research, development and operation. These phases correspond to the conceptual, application, and operational strata of choropleth map existence defined in work. Transformational (horizontal) relations describe repetitive relations that exist between the product (choropleth map) and the process of its creation on some specific Stratum. It is proved that necessary to deal with the socalled main triad of choropleth map solutions framework to achieve educational and practical purposes: products-processes of the current strata (eg, application) and their counterparts in the more highly organized strata (eg, conceptual). To prove the main results the reduction and abduction are used. The reduction is applied to obtain the structure of the solution from the more common solutions of atlas systems. Abduction is applied to (re)prove the validity of vertical and horizontal relations for practically useful choropleth map. As additional evidence is used induction: proposed analogy between the concepts of the choropleth map strata and levels of van Gigch’s general systems theory and Bunge’s metacartography.

Mapping the inequality of the global distribution of seasonal influenza vaccine

With an estimated annual worldwide death toll of between 290 000 and 650 000, seasonal influenza remains one of the deadliest respiratory diseases. Influenza vaccines provide moderate to high protection and have been on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines since 1979. Approximately 490 million doses of influenza vaccine are produced per year, but an investigation of geographic allocation reveals enormous disparities. Here, we present two maps that visualise the inequality of the distribution across 195 countries: a conventional choropleth map and a cartogram. In combination, these two maps highlight the widespread lack of coverage in Africa and many parts of Asia. As COVID-19 vaccines are now being distributed in developed countries, data for seasonal influenza vaccine distribution emphasises the need for policymakers to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Do Different Map Types Support Map Reading Equally? Comparing Choropleth, Graduated Symbols, and Isoline Maps for Map Use Tasks

It is acknowledged that various types of thematic maps emphasize different aspects of mapped phenomena and thus support different map users’ tasks. To provide empirical evidence, a user study with 366 participants was carried out comparing three map types showing the same input data. The aim of the study is to compare the effect of using choropleth, graduated symbols, and isoline maps to solve basic map user tasks. Three metrics were examined: two performance metrics (answer accuracy and time) and one subjective metric (difficulty). The results showed that the performance metrics differed between the analyzed map types, and better performances were recorded using the choropleth map. It was also proven that map users find the most commonly applied type of the map, choropleth map, as the easiest. In addition, the subjective metric matched the performance metrics. We conclude with the statement that the choropleth map can be a sufficient solution for solving various tasks. However, it should be remembered that making this type of map correctly may seem easy, but it is not. Moreover, we believe that the richness of thematic cartography should not be abandoned, and work should not be limited to one favorable map type only.