Creating visualizations is easy as long as you know a little about the tools available to you for creating them. Creating visualizations that are clear and not misleading is more challenging. One reason for this is that the cognitive processes by which humans perceive and understand visualizations involve those for which we are unaware (e.g., automatic cognitive processing). As a result, creating visualization that are easy to perceive, that are not attentionally demanding, that reduce confusion, that are not overly complex, that facilitate comparisons rather that compromise them, and so forth is more challenging. The latter involves an understanding of how people perceive and attend to elements of plots (e.g., aesthetics) and well as how the interpret, remember, and make-decisions about data visualizations. With this information, you create visualizations that are perceptually accessible and efficient. This module will introduce you to some of the literate in the area.
To Do For Class
The reference list below represents a variety of topics related to the science of data visualization research. The papers are presented in alphabetized order rather than in order of importance. Some references address perceptual issues related to aesthetics, some plot types or comparisons, some storytelling and interpretation, some reasoning, some color, some about the user, etc. Some titles do not perfectly communicate the topic of study (especially those with ambiguous terms), so I recommend looking at a paper and reading the abstract to better inform your selection.
Reference Reservation Process
In order to make your reading selection, you will reserve a paper from the list by editing this shared file. Next to each reading, you will see parentheses (). You will decide on a paper to read and summarize according to some specific questions. Once you decide upon a paper, type your name inside the parentheses in order to reserve the reading. Selection is first-come, first-served; if two individuals from the same class have reserved a paper, it is no longer available for reading. Do not replace someone’s name. Do not delete any content.
If you wish to pair up with someone (in the same class or other class), read the paper together and submit your summary responses for others as a team, feel free to do so. Just ensure that you add both contributors names.
Paper Summary Task
There is a Summary Template on Page 2 of the file and on Page 3 a section for Summary Entries. You should copy the content from the template and paste it into the document for entering your summary of the paper. Follow the prompts as listed below but feel free to provide other information that you believe is relevant for understanding the take-home message of the paper. In class, you will have some time to walk your peers through the piece of research so that they can understand it at a general level. The summary content will be available for all so that everyone can benefit from the reading of the collective group. Advice provided herein should be considered when deciding how your team creates visualizations for your project.
Items to include in your summary
Your Names(s)
Paper Title
What was the goal of the research?
Describe the general research methodology.
What was the general finding or pattern of data (outcome variables ~ predictors)? If you did not make the variables and levels of variables clear in the previous item, do so here.
If there are multiple experiments, was a pattern consistent across experiments or did manipulations provide a nuanced view of cognitive processes?
What explanation or theory was provided to account for the data? Keep in mind that an explanation for data does not simply mean the pattern of the data. Rather, the theory is offered to explain why the pattern might exist.
What data visualization advice do you have for your peers based on this piece of research?
Note: Feel free to include screen clippings of data or images if they help understand the methodology, manipulations, or data.