Category: Presenting data

What can the fields of UI/UX teach scientists?

Web developers and programmers have a lot riding on the quality of their product. If it behaves in an unusual manner, it’ll frustrate users. If it’s unattractive, it won’t attract users. If it’s no good, it will lose users. Users are the primary concern. Consequently, there are fields dedicated to this concern: User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).

Because web developers and programmers have a much wider potential audience than scientists, they have a better handle on the importance and behaviour of the end user. Scientists could learn a thing or two about UI/UX.

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Significant figures aren’t necessarily significant (especially in tables)

Round to two significant figures is the first of what statistician Andrew Ehrenberg describes as Six Basic Rules in his Rudiments of Numeracy. It contradicts the standard rules about significant figures taught in school, but I agree with Ehrenberg.

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