Metafigures

Metafigures are graphical representations designed to convey information about other figures, the data they summarize, the methods used to obtain them, or the quality of the underlying evidence. The term appears in discussions of research communication and data visualization to describe visuals that summarize, contextualize, or critique primary figures rather than presenting new data alone. Metafigures can highlight aspects such as study provenance, analytic decisions, uncertainty, or cross-study comparisons, helping readers interpret a body of figures as a coherent whole.

In practice, metafigures appear prominently in meta-analytic work and systematic reviews. Forest plots, funnel plots, and PRISMA flow diagrams are common examples because they synthesize results and document study selection, bias considerations, and heterogeneity across studies. Beyond meta-analyses, metafigures can also take the form of companion visuals or overlays that describe data sources, measurement definitions, sample sizes, or confidence bounds accompanying primary charts. They function to place individual figures within a broader evidentiary or methodological context.

The purpose of metafigures is to improve transparency, facilitate interpretation of complex evidence, and support reproducibility by documenting key methodological choices. They can aid critical appraisal by showing how conclusions were derived and what limitations affect comparisons across figures.

Critiques note that metafigures may confuse readers if not clearly labeled or if they attempt to convey too many aspects within a single visual. Effective design and explicit labeling are important to prevent misinterpretation and information overload. See also: meta-analysis, data visualization, evidence synthesis.