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The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study

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The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study. / Beattie, Vivien; Jones, Mike.
In: Accounting and Business Research, Vol. 22, No. 88, 1992, p. 291-303.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

Beattie, V & Jones, M 1992, 'The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study', Accounting and Business Research, vol. 22, no. 88, pp. 291-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446

APA

Beattie, V., & Jones, M. (1992). The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study. Accounting and Business Research, 22(88), 291-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446

Vancouver

Beattie V, Jones M. The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study. Accounting and Business Research. 1992;22(88):291-303. doi: 10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446

Author

Beattie, Vivien ; Jones, Mike. / The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports : a theoretical framework and an empirical study. In: Accounting and Business Research. 1992 ; Vol. 22, No. 88. pp. 291-303.

Bibtex

@article{914b889b00c54e2a8629c31434166996,
title = "The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports: a theoretical framework and an empirical study",
abstract = "This study investigates the use and abuse of graphs in external financial reporting. From an analysis of the annual reports of 240 large UK companies for the year ended 1989 we document the nature and extent of graph usage. The average number of graphs per annual report is 5.9, with 65% of companies graphing at least one key financial variable. Drawing on modern theories of graphical perception we identify selectivity in the use of graphs, and non-compliance with the principles of graph construction, as potential distortions in the communication process. We find that companies with {\textquoteleft}good{\textquoteright} performance are significantly more likely to use financial graphs. Material measurement distortions occur in 30% of these graphs, with the underlying numerical data being exaggerated by an average of 10.7%. We conclude that auditors' and directors' responsibilities in this area should be made more explicit.",
author = "Vivien Beattie and Mike Jones",
year = "1992",
doi = "10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446",
language = "English",
volume = "22",
pages = "291--303",
journal = "Accounting and Business Research",
issn = "0001-4788",
publisher = "Routledge",
number = "88",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The use and abuse of graphs in annual reports

T2 - a theoretical framework and an empirical study

AU - Beattie, Vivien

AU - Jones, Mike

PY - 1992

Y1 - 1992

N2 - This study investigates the use and abuse of graphs in external financial reporting. From an analysis of the annual reports of 240 large UK companies for the year ended 1989 we document the nature and extent of graph usage. The average number of graphs per annual report is 5.9, with 65% of companies graphing at least one key financial variable. Drawing on modern theories of graphical perception we identify selectivity in the use of graphs, and non-compliance with the principles of graph construction, as potential distortions in the communication process. We find that companies with ‘good’ performance are significantly more likely to use financial graphs. Material measurement distortions occur in 30% of these graphs, with the underlying numerical data being exaggerated by an average of 10.7%. We conclude that auditors' and directors' responsibilities in this area should be made more explicit.

AB - This study investigates the use and abuse of graphs in external financial reporting. From an analysis of the annual reports of 240 large UK companies for the year ended 1989 we document the nature and extent of graph usage. The average number of graphs per annual report is 5.9, with 65% of companies graphing at least one key financial variable. Drawing on modern theories of graphical perception we identify selectivity in the use of graphs, and non-compliance with the principles of graph construction, as potential distortions in the communication process. We find that companies with ‘good’ performance are significantly more likely to use financial graphs. Material measurement distortions occur in 30% of these graphs, with the underlying numerical data being exaggerated by an average of 10.7%. We conclude that auditors' and directors' responsibilities in this area should be made more explicit.

U2 - 10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446

DO - 10.1080/00014788.1992.9729446

M3 - Journal article

VL - 22

SP - 291

EP - 303

JO - Accounting and Business Research

JF - Accounting and Business Research

SN - 0001-4788

IS - 88

ER -