Understanding Map Misinterpretation: Factors Influencing Correct Map Reading and Common Errors

Abstract

Misinterpreting maps can have serious consequences, especially in situations requiring quick decisions like using car navigation systems. Studies indicate that a map reader’s experience is crucial for understanding maps, but factors such as age, education, and gender can also influence interpretation. However, understanding only the proportion of correctly interpreted information is not enough. It is essential to investigate the types of mistakes made and their causes. To address this, we conducted a study available in six languages with 511 participants who completed an online questionnaire testing their map reading skills. The questions focused on scale usage, mental rotation, and recognizing map categories (relief, line and point symbols, and geographic names). Gender had significant relation with one skill, qualification with two and age with three. Experience was associated to the highest number of skills, a total of four, confirming previous findings. When making mistakes, participants tended to overestimate distances and struggled with conceptual similarities in symbol recognition. Experienced readers often misplaced reference locations of geographic names. The results of the research could be used in the design of large-scale maps (e.g., car navigation), as they allow to reduce typical map reading errors by careful selection of symbol types and placements.