Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
with the analysis, computational, and synchroni-
zation tools, the raw data (information) may be
translated into data tables, then visual structures,
and finally visualization (multiple views of visual
things (Ward, Grinstein, & Keim, 2010, p. 129).
Models of information management address the
data presentation, mapping, and issues related
to the temporal dimension. Card, Mackinlay, &
Shneiderman (1999) discussed activities necessary
to create visualizations that included transforming
raw data into structured data as data tables, and
then further converting the data for calculations
of meta-data attributes. Then goes visual map-
ping of the structures essential to the data into the
abstract visual structures that can be interactively
transformed on a screen by the users as changes
in shape, color, size, location, etc. According to
Graham (2005), challenges for IV and tools de-
velopment for IV are identified with respect to:
import data; combining visual representations with
textual labels; seeing related information; viewing
large volumes of data; integrating data mining; col-
laboration with others, and; achieving universal.
It became a norm that large projects with several
partners should provide a website publicizing their
project. Selecting, transforming and representing
abstract data in computer programs facilitate hu-
man understanding, interaction, and exploration,
often resulting in an interactive, dynamic way of
the visual representation. Visualization shows
spatially referenced, time-dependent data that can
be then modified in real-time, enabling perception
of patterns and structural relations in the abstract
data. Craft and Cairns (2008) described methods
for designing information visualization as:
Information visualization helps to explore
data, understand their complexity, communicate
and navigate, for instance, on the web. With com-
puter programs, most often utilizing Java, abstract
data are gathered, selected, and transformed into
pictorial form that makes human exploration and
understanding easier.
Human language, thought and communication
use metaphors that are familiar and understand-
able in social and cultural terms. To communicate
and share knowledge, visualizations provide two-
dimensional (2D), tree-dimensional (3D), interac-
tive techniques, and interaction metaphors, which
are used for web navigation and communication.
Along with the advances in 3D computer graph-
ics, data are often displayed in an interactive 3D
virtual space (Ware, 2000). The use of virtual
reality allows constructing shared, multi-user
virtual environments providing information visu-
alizations (Chen, 2010).
2.4. Knowledge Visualization
Knowledge visualization uses visual represen-
tations to transfer knowledge between people,
rather than to show only data or information.
Professionals, who make knowledge visible and
understand patterns of communication, hope to
live in a knowledge-based society (with people
used to identify, access, share, discuss, apply, and
manage information, and thus understand the field
as problem solvers) rather than information-based
society (of people behaving only as passive learn-
ers). Knowledge visualization provides us with
visual insight into the data and shares our experi-
ences, perspectives and predictions. It contrasts
with information visualization that concentrates
on the use of computer-supported tools to explore
large amount of data. Knowledge visualization
techniques are focused on the users, explanation,
and presentation of knowledge in various visual
formats. We can see knowledge visualization as
a tool to enhance cognitive processes and reduce
cognitive load for working memory, and also as
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Design examples that provide solutions;
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Taxonomies
that categorize and
list
artifacts;
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Guidelines that recommend best practices;
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Reference models that describe how visu-
alization systems work as a whole.
