A comparison of set-based and graph-based visualisations of overlapping classification hierarchies.

Graham, Martin; Kennedy, Jessie; Hand, Chris

Abstract

The visualisation of hierarchical information sets has been a staple of Information Visualisation since the field came into being in the early 1990's. However, at present, support for visualising the correlations between multiple, overlapping sets of hierarchical information has been lacking. This is despite the realisation that for certain tasks this information is as important as the information that forms the individual hierarchies. In response to this, we have produced two early visualisation prototypes, one based on graph visualisation, and the other on a set-based metaphor, that endeavour to display such information in a readily perceived form to potential users. The science of botanical taxonomy is used as an example of a field where such a visualisation would be useful, and also as a resource for example information sets that the prototypes can act upon. Technical and perceptual issues involved in the design and implementation of both prototypes are discussed. Following this, informal user testing on both prototypes is described, which utilised user observation techniques to elicit qualitative feedback from the taxonomists. These findings are then used to emphasise the shortcomings and advantages of each prototype and development are drawn.

Citation

Graham, M., Kennedy, J., & Hand, C. (2000, May). A comparison of set-based and graph-based visualisations of overlapping classification hierarchies. Presented at ACM Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI) 2000

• Conference Name: ACM Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI) 2000
• Start Date: May 24, 2000
• End Date: May 26, 2000
• Publication Date: 2000
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 4, 2009
• Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 41-50
• Book Title: 5th Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI 2000)
• ISBN: 1-58113-252-2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/345513.345243
• Keywords: Graphical user interfaces; Hierarchical information sets; Multiple data sets; Overlapping data sets; Graphical visualisation; Set theory; Application; Taxonomy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/2997
• Contract Date: Nov 4, 2009