Table 2.

Comparison of the weaknesses (−) and strengths (+) of the funnel plot and choropleth map within the context of disseminating epidemiological data to stakeholders

	Weaknesses and strengths of visual format
Properties explored	Funnel plot	Choropleth map
Definition of the spatial location of the risk	−	+
Identification of hot spots	+	+
Locating clusters	−	+
Displaying the scope of the phenomenon under investigation	+	−
Showing the precision of estimates	+	−
Communicating the significance of estimates	+	−