The type of visualisations incorporated. Infographics are the most used visual element in both cases; this dominates more in the winners, as it is presented as a scrollytelling and is not combined with other visualisations.

The representation of the information. Both nominated and award-winners coincide in showing associations between variables and temporal changes.

Regarding objective three (O3), it is possible to outline two cores of interactive elements according to their purpose. On the one hand, some satisfy information needs, limiting themselves to offer more or less detail. This point would include: explore, connect, filter, select, and summarise. On the other hand, those focused on attracting, retaining, and visually pleasing the reader, with the possibility to model the information as they wish. This would include: reconfiguring, storytelling, interacting with games, and personalising.

The few interactive functions and the limitation of the user’s responsibility would explain the wide use of the first group in this work. The incorporation of functions from the second group is more complex and requires more dedication, and the work needs to be deconstructed with figures. As previously mentioned, the use of these types of functions is considered conclusive for obtaining recognition.

This research intends to show the importance and volatility of using visualisations in data journalism’s communicative process. This article provides two main contributions: it offers an analysis of visualisations in the best data journalism stories. It unifies criteria for categorising visualisations and the interactive elements incorporated in this media practice. It is worth noting the peculiarities of the object of study, which, although appropriate for evaluating quality data journalism, is the only specialisation connected to the event’s identity. A committee of experts carries out the selection of projects. There is no access to the full list of applications submitted (607 publication) or the criteria that led to this assessment. However, although a certain lack of transparency is found, these publications mark the future trends in data journalism practice as they incorporate a diversity of resources and formal innovations.

Despite the changing nature of the visualisations, the guidelines recognised in the review may be valid for understanding data journalism materialisation and how numerical information is represented. Specifically, these results can operate as indicators of the reality in competitions such as the Data Journalism Awards. To expand on the findings set out here, it would be interesting to transfer this study to daily data journalism items to see how this tool is adapted and to identify differences in the types of visualisations and functions.

5. Bibliographical references

Appelgren, E. (2018). An illusion of interactivity. Journalism Practice, 12(3), 308-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2017.1299032

Appelgren, E. y Nygren, G. (2014). Data Journalism in Sweden. Introducing new methods and genres of journalism into ‘old’ organizations. Digital Journalism, 2(3), 394-405. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2014.884344

Arteaga, P. (2008). Análisis de gráficos estadísticos elaborados en un proyecto de análisis de datos (Trabajo Fin de Máster). Departamento de Didáctica de la Matemática, Universidad de Granada. https://bit.ly/2GeE2IO