Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points to Consider: Data Visualization for Clinical and Anatomic Pathologists

Abstract

Assessment and communication of toxicology data are fundamental components of the work performed by veterinary anatomic and clinical pathologists involved in toxicology research. In recent years, there has been an evolution in the number and variety of software tools designed to facilitate the evaluation and presentation of toxicity study data. A working group of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee reviewed existing and emerging visualization technologies. This Points to Consider article reviews some of the currently available data visualization options, describes the utility of different types of graphical displays, and explores potential areas of controversy and ambiguity encountered with the use of these tools.