Information Visualization

Making Sense of Document Collections with Map-Based Visualizations

by Olga Buchel

Dissertation.

Moving architectures. Visualizing and Analyzing Relationships in 19th century Architectural Competitions in Switzerland

by Sofia Paisiou

Paisiou, S., Boyandin, I., Lalanne, D. and Van Wezemael, J.E. (2011),  Conference proceedings  “ADS-VIS2011: Making visible the invisible: Art, Design and Science in Data Visualisation,” University of Huddersfield.

Our cities are changing and this implies changes in many fields of our activities, research and everyday life.... more Our cities are changing and this implies changes in many fields of our activities, research and everyday life. Architecture, urban design and planning are the main tools for making design decisions, which structure and articulate these transformations.  The problem we are dealing with, when we are talking about the creation of our cities, is to visualise the complexity of urban procedures and the “urban futures” that they “produce”.

In our collaboration between the disciplines of human geography and informatics we worked on the collection of historical data about architectural competitions held in Switzerland in the 19th century.  We analysed these historical data in order to better understand how cities were created and developed; in other words, we addressed this complex problem using architectural competitions as an epistemic vehicle. Competitions are platforms for communication where different people (architects, clients, engineering and financial specialists etc.) and objects (designs, models, competition briefs etc.) come together, and where decisions are made about the future urban environment. We have developed a visualisation tool, which is able to represent the disparity of an architectural competition in space and in time: the networks it brings together, the actors it involves, their role and their spatiotemporal trajectories. Our visualisation tool presents the information as a navigable landscape enabling the interactive manipulation of the visual interface and leading to a deeper understanding and knowledge discovery. 

In the article, we discuss the challenges associated with the analysis of the data on architectural competitions, present our visual analytics tool and the findings it enables. Finally, we elaborate on the advantages and potentials of our interdisciplinary collaboration.

Lyrical Trends in Hip-Hop: A New Visualization Tool to Promote Media Literacy

by Devayani Tirthali

Dan Hoffman, Devayani Tirthali, Seungoh Paek, Brian Gregory
Teachers College, Columbia University

Qubism: self-similar visualization of many-body wavefunctions

by Piotr Migdal

accepted to the New Journal of Physics

A visualization scheme for quantum many-body wavefunctions is described, which we have termed qubism. Its main... more A visualization scheme for quantum many-body wavefunctions is described, which we have termed qubism. Its main property is its recursivity: increasing the number of qubits reflects in an increase in the image resolution. Thus, the plots are typically fractal. As examples, we provide images for the ground states of commonly used Hamiltonians in condensed matter and cold atom physics, such as Heisenberg or ITF. Many features of the wavefunction, such as magnetization, correlations and criticality, can be visualized as properties of the images. In particular, factorizability can be easily spotted, and a way to estimate the entanglement entropy from the image is provided.

FatFonts: Combining the Symbolic and Visual Aspects of Numbers

by Miguel Nacenta

Published in the Advanced Visual Interfaces Conference 2012. Co-authors: Uta Hinrichs, Sheelagh Carpendale.

In this paper we explore numeric typeface design for visualization purposes. We introduce FatFonts, a technique for... more In this paper we explore numeric typeface design for visualization purposes. We introduce FatFonts, a technique for visualizing quantitative data that bridges the gap between numeric and visual representations. FatFonts are based on Arabic numerals but, unlike regular numeric typefaces, the amount of ink (dark pixels) used for each digit is proportional to its quantitative value. This enables accurate reading of the numerical data while preserving an overall visual context. We discuss the challenges of this approach that we identied through our design process and propose a set of design goals that include legibility, familiarity, readability, spatial precision, dynamic range, and resolution. We contribute four FatFont typefaces that are derived from our exploration of the design space that these goals introduce. Finally, we discuss three example scenarios that show how FatFonts can be used for visualization purposes as valuable representation alternatives.

Extending map-based visualizations to support visual tasks: The role of ontological properties

by Olga Buchel

Co-authored with Professor Kamran Sedig

Map-based visualizations of document collections have become popular in recent times. However, most of these... more Map-based visualizations of document collections have become popular in recent times. However, most of these visualizations emphasize only geospatial properties of objects, leaving out other ontological properties. In this paper we propose to extend these visualizations to include non-geospatial properties of documents to support users with elementary and synoptic visual tasks. More specifically, additional suitable representations that can enhance the utility of map-based visualizations are discussed. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed solution, we have developed a prototype map-based visualization system using Google Maps (GM) which demonstrates how additional representations can be beneficial.

Using Map-Based Visual Interfaces to Facilitate Knowledge Discovery in Digital Libraries

by Olga Buchel

Co-authored with Professor Kamran Sedig

In recent years there has been growing interest in supporting knowledge discovery activities using map-based visual... more In recent years there has been growing interest in supporting knowledge discovery activities using map-based visual interfaces. The goal is promising and ambitious, but not very easy to achieve due to the lack of understanding of cognitive factors involved in how information is transformed into knowledge. In this paper we present a map-based visual interface, VICOLEX (VIsual COLlection Explorer), aimed at facilitating and supporting knowledge discovery and users’ cognitive activities by means of integrated visual representations coupled with interactions.

Can Interactive Map-Based Visualizations Reveal Contexts of Scientific Datasets?

by Olga Buchel

This paper is co-authored with Eva Fischer. It will be presented at CAIS 2012.

Existing map-based visualizations of scientific datasets support a small number of tasks. They do not allow users to... more Existing map-based visualizations of scientific datasets support a small number of tasks. They do not allow users to visually inspect properties and contexts in scientific datasets and focus only on showing locations in space and time. This paper describes a prototype that provides a better support for visual analyses of scientific contexts by means of additional representations and richer interactions with scientific data.

Manovich - How to Follow Software Users

by Lev Manovich

Media Visualization: Visual Techniques for Exploring Large Media Collections.

by Lev Manovich

The article explains the limitations of current web interfaces and tools for viewing and managing media collections.... more The article explains the limitations of current web interfaces and tools for viewing and managing media collections. We describe new method which we call media visualization - use of high resolution visualizations which show all images in a collection (or key video frames) sorted in different ways to enable discovering patterns and understanding the "shape" or a collection.

Reconciling competing accounts of picture perception from art theory and perceptual psychology via the dual route hypothesis

by Peter Coppin

Coppin, P.W. (2011). Reconciling competing accounts of picture perception from art theory and perceptual psychology via the dual route hypothesis. In B. Kokinov, A. Karmiloff-Smith, N.J. Nersessian (Eds.), European Perspectives on Cognitive Science. Sofia, Bulgaria: New Bulgarian University Press.

The fine and applied visual arts and perceptual psychology use conflicting accounts of picture perception. In the... more The fine and applied visual arts and perceptual psychology use conflicting accounts of picture perception. In the arts, the human ability to perceive pictured objects is characterized as learned, or conventionalized, like a “visual language” (Gombrich, 1960; Goodman, 1976; Kulvicki, 2010). In perceptual psychology, picture perception is characterized as an unconventionalized, biologically grounded ability. In this account, optical properties of light produced by pictures, not conventions, make use of biologically evolved capabilities to perceive surfaces and edges in actual environments (J. J. Gibson, 1978; J.J. Gibson, 1971; Kennedy, 1974; Lee et al., 1980; Juricevic et al., 2006; Hammad et al., 2008). The purpose of this paper is to reconcile these competing claims through Goodale et al.’s (2005) dual route hypothesis. It includes a role for learning and memory in visual processing via the ventrally located “what/how” stream, in addition to a role for visual processes that rely less on memory and learning, via the dorsally located “what” stream.

The integrated account proposed here could more clearly explain the perceptual-cognitive affordances of pictorial and symbolized information used in graphic displays by not only including culturally specific similarities and differences heavily made use of by designers trained in the arts, but also neurological phenomena that may transcend cultures, and that have been heavily explored by the biological and cognitive sciences.

Distinguishing Pictorial from Symbolized Information

by Peter Coppin

Coppin, P.W. (Forthcoming). Distinguishing Pictorial from Symbolized Information. Diagrammatic Representation and Inference, Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Berlin / Heidelberg: Springer

What makes a representation pictorial? I respond to this question as a small step toward a perceptual-cognitive... more What makes a representation pictorial? I respond to this question as a small step toward a perceptual-cognitive understanding of graphic representation properties that play important roles in the usability of information systems. Here, I focus to capabilities that play a role in whether material objects are visually processed or recognized as pictorial or symbolized representations. I distinguish pictorial and symbolized information in terms of how each makes use of “less-learned” perceptual emulation capabilities that evolved to enable reaction to real-time environmental changes, and more-learned capabilities to recognize features in order to predict and plan (“simulate”) future changes from memory traces of past percepts. Pictorial information makes use of these capabili- ties to cause perceptual emulation of environmental surfaces that are not part of the marked surface and are referred to here as “pictured.” Symbolized (visual) information is conceived here as visual information from a visual representation, that, through learning and recognition, causes retrieval of memory traces that serve as resources for the construction of mental simulations beyond (or other than) what is pictured. By locating information and representation at the intersection of perceiver and environment, a preliminary model to address the perplexing problem of distinguishing pictorial from symbolized representations is introduced.

Cocitación de clases y categorías: Proyecto Atlas de la Ciencia

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Moya-Anegón, F., Vargas-Quesada, B., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Corera-Álvarez, E., Muñoz-Fernández, F. J. y Herrero-Solana, V. Cocitación de clases y categorías: Proyecto Atlas de la Ciencia . En: El Estado de la Ciencia. Principales Indicadores de Ciencia y Tecnología Iberoamericanos / InterAmericanos 2004. Buenos Aires: RICYT, 2005

Nuestra propuesta consiste en la representación gráfica y esquemática de grandes dominios temáticos, geográficos,... more Nuestra propuesta consiste en la representación gráfica y esquemática de grandes dominios temáticos, geográficos, institucionales, etcéctera, basada en la cocitación, para construir el atlas de la ciencia. Resulta obvio que es necesario conseguir algún tipo de aglomeración o clusterización, si lo que se pretende es representar en la pantalla de un ordenador la estructura intelectual de un gran dominio y que a la vez sea inteligible para la mente humana. Por ello, proponemos la cocitación de clases y de categorías.

Visualizing the marrow of science

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Moya-Anegón, F., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Vargas-Quesada, B., Corera-Álvarez, E., González-Molina, A., Muñoz-Fernández, F. J., Herrero-Solana, V.
Visualizing the Marrow of Science. Journal of The American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58 (14): 2167-2179, 2007

This study proposes a new methodology that allows for the generation of scientograms of major scientific domains,... more This study proposes a new methodology that allows for the generation of scientograms of major scientific domains, constructed on the basis of cocitation of Institute of Scientific Information categories, and pruned using PathfinderNetwork, with a layout determined by algorithms of the spring-embedder type (Kamada–Kawai), then corroborated structurally by factor analysis. We present the complete scientogram of the world for the Year 2002. It integrates the natural sciences, the social sciences, and arts and humanities. Its basic structure and the essential relationships therein are revealed, allowing us to simultaneously analyze the macrostructure, microstructure, and marrow of worldwide scientific output.

Visualización y análisis de la estructura científica española: ISI, Web of Science, 1990-2005

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Moya-Anegón, F., Vargas-Quesada, B., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Corera-Álvarez, E., González-Molina, A., Muñoz-Fernández, F. J., Herrero-Solana, V. Visualización y análisis de la estructura científica española: ISI Web of Science 1990-2005. El Profesional de la Información, 15 (4): 258-269, julio-agosto 2006

This article presents the structure of Spanish science from 1990 to 2005. Based on ISI subject–category co–citation,... more This article presents the structure of Spanish science from 1990 to 2005. Based on ISI subject–category co–citation, including natural sciences, social sciences and arts & humanities, and combining both social network analysis (SNA) and pruning algorithms such as pathfinder–networks (Pfnet) and other information layout algorithms like Kamada–Kawai’s, the basic structure of Spanish science is shown through its essential relations. The results are bibliometric–maps (scientograms) revealing the macrostructure, microstructure and the backbone of Spanish science and making possible its analysis and explanation

Se presenta la estructura de la investigación científica española durante el período comprendido entre 1990 y 2005. Basándonos en la cocitación de categorías ISI, que comprenden las ciencias naturales, las ciencias sociales y el arte y las humanidades, y combinando el análisis de redes sociales (ARS) con algoritmos de poda como pathfindernetorks (Pfnet) y otros algoritmos de representación de la información como el de Kamada–Kawai, mostramos la estructura básica de la ciencia española a través de sus relaciones esenciales. El resultado son unos mapas bibliométricos con forma de neurona y con un gran axón central (cienciogramas) que ponen de manifiesto la macro–estructura, micro–estructura y columna vertebral de la investigación española, que permiten su análisis e interpretación.

Showing the essential science structure of a scientific domain and its evolution

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Vargas-Quesada, B., Moya-Anegón, F., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., González-Molina, A. Showing the essential science structure of a scientific domain and its evolution. Information Visualization, 9 (4): 288-300, Winter 2010. DOI: 10.1057/ivs.2009.33

Category cocitation and its representation through social networks is proving to be a very adequate technique for the... more Category cocitation and its representation through social networks is proving to be a very adequate technique for the visualization and analysis of great scientific domains. Its combination with pathfinder networks using pruning values r=∞and q=n−1 makes manifest the essence of research
in the domain represented, or what we might call the `most salient structure'. The possible loss of structural information, caused by aggressive pruning in peripheral areas of the networks, is overcome by creating heliocentric maps for each category. The depictions obtained with this procedure become tools of great usefulness in view of their capacity to reveal the evolution of a given scientific domain over time, to show differences and similarities between different domains, and to suggest possible new lines for development. This article presents the scientogram of the United States for the year 2002, identifying its essential structure. We also show the scientograms of China for the years 1990 and 2002, in order to study its particular national evolution. Finally, we try to detect patterns and tendencies in the three scientograms that would allow one to predict or flag the evolution of a scientific domain.

Atlas de la ciencia española: propuesta de un sistema de información científica| Atlas of Spanish science: proposal of a scientific information system

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Moya-Anegón, F., Herrero-Solana, V., Vargas-Quesada, B., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Corera-Álvarez, E., Muñoz-Fernández, F. J., Guerrero-Bote, V., Olmeda-Gómez, C. Atlas de la Ciencia Española: propuesta de un sistema de información científica. Revista Española de Documentación Científica, 27 (1): 11-29, 2004

In this paper we propose an information system that allows the graphic representation of the Spanish research. The... more In this paper we propose an information system that allows the graphic representation of the Spanish research. The representation is composed by a collection of maps –an atlas– that follow three basic objectives:
• To give to the the researchers a tool for the analysis of the scientific fields structure and research fronts. The principal goal of the system is to provide a powerful interface with the knowledge domains.
• To develop a graphic interface as a navigation tool through semantic spaces in the maps. This interface gives access to a specific systems called Digital Libraries.
• To represent the evolution of the production in both institutional and knowledge domains, with dynamic maps, that can be useful to analyse the future trends in scientific research.


En el presente trabajo se propone un sistema de información cuyo objetivo general consiste en representar gráficamente la investigación científica española. Dicha representación gráfica se concibe como una colección de mapas –de ahí el término atlas– que persigue tres objetivos fundamentales:
• Facilitar a la comunidad científica española un instrumento para el análisis de la estructura que forman los diferentes campos científicos y sus correspondientes
frentes de investigación, con el fin de mejorar su capacidad de
interacción con otros dominios de conocimiento e institucionales pertenecientes al Sistema de Ciencia en que se integran.
• Brindar un interfaz gráfico que permita funciones de navegación a través de los espacios semánticos que forman los diferentes mapas. Este interfaz permitirá el acceso a la información documental disponible al modo de los sistemas
denominados Bibliotecas Digitales.
• Representar la evolución de la investigación en los dominios institucionales y de conocimiento objeto de estudio a través de mapas dinámicos que mejoren la capacidad de la comunidad científica para analizar tendencias en el desarrollo de futuras líneas de investigación.

Domain analysis and information retrieval through the construction of heliocentric maps based on ISI-JCR category cocitation

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Moya-Anegón, F., Vargas-Quesada, B., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Herrero-Solana, V., Corera-Álvarez, E., Muñoz-Fernández, F. J. Domain analysis and information retrieval through the construction of heliocentric maps based on ISI-JCR category cocitation. Information Processing and Management, 41 (6): 1520-1533, 2005

We propose the use of ISI-JCR categories as units of cocitation and measurement for the construction of heliocentric... more We propose the use of ISI-JCR categories as units of cocitation and measurement for the construction of heliocentric maps. The use of a spatial metaphor allows us to illustrate, analyze and compare domains in terms of the categories and their interconnections or links. We can also move around within the structure of these domains for further analysis, and access the documents associated to the categories and to the links that cocite or relate them.

Evolución de la estructura científica española: ISI Web of Science 1990-2005

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Vargas-Quesada, B., Moya-Anegón, F., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Corera-Álvarez, E., Guerrero-Bote, V. Evolución de la estructura científica española: ISI Web of Science 1990-2005. El Profesional de la Información, 17 (1): 22-37, enero-febrero 2008

This longitudinal study of the development of Spain’s ISI scientific domain examines three key time periods:... more This longitudinal study of the development of Spain’s ISI scientific domain examines three key time periods: 1990-1995, 1996-2000 and 2001-2005, with the goal of describing the basic structure and backbone of Spanish research, as well as studying its development over time. To this end, ISI categories are used as units of analysis, co-citation as units of measure, and pruning algorithms to simplify the relationship between categories in the visualizations. The results show that from the macrostructure point of view, biomedicine and materials science research provide the basic nucleus at first. Over the years this nucleus is consolidated and expanded with agricultural and soil sciences research. From the microstructure perspective, an increase is observed in the number of interdisciplinary categories, which occupy central positions, indicating increased interaction between disciplines that have traditionally been more important or visible and those on the periphery, or less well known.


Este trabajo muestra un estudio longitudinal de la evolución del dominio científico español ISI en tres intervalos temporales: 1990-1995, 1996-2000 y 2001-2005. El objetivo final es mostrar la estructura básica y columna vertebral de la investigación española, así como estudiar su evolución. Para ello se han utilizado las categorías ISI como unidades de representación, la cocitación como unidad de medida y algoritmos de poda para simplificar las relaciones entre categorías en las visualizaciones. Los resultados muestran que desde un punto de vista macro-estructural, biomedicina y ciencias de los materiales son el núcleo básico de investigación. Con el tiempo, este núcleo se consolida y enriquece con el área de agricultura y ciencias del
suelo. Desde la perspectiva micro-estructural, se observa un incremento de las ciencias interdisciplinares, que ocupan posiciones centrales, indicando un aumento en la interacción entre las ciencias tradicionalmente relevantes o visibles y las más periféricas u ocultas.

A visual analytics framework for feature and classifier engineering

by Henrico Dolfing