SoundBar: exploiting multiple views in multimodal graph browsing

In this paper we discuss why access to mathematical graphs is problematic for visually impaired people. By a review of graph understanding theory and interviews with visually impaired users, we explain why current non-visual representations are unlikely to provide effective access to graphs. We propose the use of multiple views of the graph, each providing quick access to specific information as a way to improve graph usability. We then introduce a specific multiple view system to improve access to bar graphs called SoundBar which provides an additional quick audio overview of the graph. An evaluation of SoundBar revealed that additional views significantly increased accuracy and reduced time taken in a question answering task

Modelling dynamic decision making with the ACT-R cognitive architecture

This paper describes a model of dynamic decision making in the Dynamic Stocks and Flows (DSF) task, developed using the ACT-R cognitive architecture. This task is a simple simulation of a water tank in which the water level must be kept constant whilst the inflow and outflow changes at varying rates. The basic functions of the model are based around three steps. Firstly, the model predicts the water level in the next cycle by adding the current water level to the predicted net inflow of water. Secondly, based on this projection, the net outflow of the water is adjusted to bring the water level back to the target. Thirdly, the predicted net inflow of water is adjusted to improve its accuracy in the future. If the prediction has overestimated net inflow then it is reduced, if it has underestimated net inflow it is increased. The model was entered into a model comparison competition-the Dynamic Stocks and Flows Challenge-to model human performance on four conditions of the DSF task and then subject the model to testing on five unseen transfer conditions. The model reproduced the main features of the development data reasonably well but did not reproduce human performance well under the transfer conditions. This suggests that the principles underlying human performance across the different conditions differ considerably despite their apparent similarity. Further lessons for the future development of our model and model comparison challenges are considered

Bar and Line Graph Comprehension: An Interaction of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processes

This experiment investigated the effect of format (line vs. bar), viewers’ familiarity with variables, and viewers’ graphicacy (graphical literacy) skills on the comprehension of multivariate (three variable) data presented in graphs. Fifty-five undergraduates provided written descriptions of data for a set of 14 line or bar graphs, half of which depicted variables familiar to the population and half of which depicted variables unfamiliar to the population. Participants then took a test of graphicacy skills. As predicted, the format influenced viewers’ interpretations of data. Specifically, viewers were more likely to describe x – y interactions when viewing line graphs than when viewing bar graphs, and they were more likely to describe main effects and “ z – y ” (the variable in the legend) interactions when viewing bar graphs than when viewing line graphs. Familiarity of data presented and individuals’ graphicacy skills interacted with the influence of graph format. Specifically, viewers were most likely to generate inferences only when they had high graphicacy skills, the data were familiar and thus the information inferred was expected, and the format supported those inferences. Implications for multivariate data display are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78678/1/j.1756-8765.2009.01066.x.pd

Cognitive and psychological science insights to improve climate change data visualization

Visualization of climate data plays an integral role in the communication of climate change findings to both expert and non-expert audiences. The cognitive and psychological sciences can provide valuable insights into how to improve visualization of climate data based on knowledge of how the human brain processes visual and linguistic information. We review four key research areas to demonstrate their potential to make data more accessible to diverse audiences: directing visual attention, visual complexity, making inferences from visuals, and the mapping between visuals and language. We present evidence-informed guidelines to help climate scientists increase the accessibility of graphics to non-experts, and illustrate how the guidelines can work in practice in the context of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change graphics

Do Graph Readers Prefer the Graph Type Most Suited to a Given Task? Insights from Eye Tracking

Research on graph comprehension suggests that point differences are easier to read in bar graphs, while trends are easier to read in line graphs. But are graph readers able to detect and use the most suited graph type for a given task? In this study, we applied a dual repre-sentation paradigm and eye tracking methodology to determine graph readers’ preferential processing of bar and line graphs while solving both point difference and trend tasks. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results show that participants shifted their graph preference depending on the task type and refined their preference over the course of the graph task. Implications for future research are discussed

Literacia estatística: A importância das competências básicas

Na sociedade moderna, a percepção do mundo que nos rodeia depende, em muito, da compreensão de informação de cariz numérico. A presença, constante, de dados estatísticos nas mais diversas situações da vida pessoal, social e profissional, condiciona a cidadania informada e participativa à avaliação crítica, descodificação, compreensão e uso adequado desses dados. A tomada de consciência de que as competências estatísticas se tornaram cruciais para os indivíduos, similarmente à capacidade de ler ou escrever, promoveu a disseminação do estudo da Estatística. Em Portugal, como em muitos outros países, os estudantes estudam Estatística desde os primeiros anos do ensino básico até ao ensino secundário, contudo, muitos destes estudantes não adquirem, durante esses anos, as competências estatísticas básicas, revelando dificuldades em aspectos tão comuns e indispensáveis como a leitura e interpretação de informação estatística expressa em tabelas e gráficos ou a compreensão das medidas estatísticas. O presente estudo pretende analisar os factores que contribuem para as dificuldades que os estudantes do ensino superior politécnico apresentam no que se refere à interpretação de gráficos estatísticos, em particular os gráficos de barras. Com base nos dados recolhidos e na revisão da literatura, os erros, cometidos na interpretação dos gráficos, foram identificados e classificados

Der Einfluss visueller Gestaltungsmerkmale auf kognitive Prozesse bei der Bearbeitung von Aufgaben mit Diagrammen

Das Lesen und Verstehen von Diagrammen ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der naturwissenschaftlichen Grundbildung. Der Erwerb entsprechender Fähigkeiten soll dazu beitragen, Herausforderungen der fortschreitenden technischen Entwicklung und Digitalisierung zu meistern und Individuen eine vollwertige gesellschaftliche Teilhabe zu ermöglichen. Die vorliegende Dissertation hat sich dem Einfluss visueller Gestaltungsmerkmale auf kognitive Prozesse bei der Bearbeitung von Diagrammleseaufgaben gewidmet. Diese Einflüsse spielen im Kontext von Lehren und Lernen eine besondere Rolle, da für den Einsatz in der Lehre vorgefertigtes Material verwendet oder neues gestaltet werden muss. Dabei ist zunächst ungeklärt, ob das Material für den geplanten Einsatz geeignet ist. Diese Arbeit leistet mit drei empirischen Studien einen Beitrag dazu, Kenntnisse darüber zu gewinnen, wie geeignete Repräsentationsformen für gegebene Aufgaben identifiziert werden können und wie Merkmale von Diagrammen so angepasst werden können, dass diese für einen intendierten Zweck geeignet sind. Die erste von drei Eye-Tracking-Studien widmete sich der Frage, ob Personen dazu in der Lage sind, für verschiedene Aufgaben dasjenige Diagramm zur Bearbeitung zu nutzen, das für die Lösung der jeweiligen Aufgabe am besten geeignet ist. In der zweiten Studie wurde untersucht, ob eine hohe Datenkomplexität den Bearbeitungsprozess und die Leistung in Aufgaben mit Diagrammen beeinflusst, auch wenn zusätzliche Daten vollständig irrelevant für die Bearbeitung einer Aufgabe sind. Die dritte Studie lieferte erste Erkenntnisse zu der Frage, ob interessante, aber irrelevante Zusatzinhalte (Seductive Details) in Diagrammen den Bearbeitungsprozess und die Leistung von Personen beeinflussen, die Diagrammleseaufgaben bearbeiten. Schließlich werden die Ergebnisse der drei Experimentalstudien integrativ betrachtet und gemeinsam vor dem Hintergrund theoretischer und empirischer Arbeiten aus der Diagrammforschung diskutiert

How People with Low and High Graph Literacy Process Health Graphs: Evidence from Eye-tracking

Graphs facilitate the communication of important quantitative information, often serving as effective decision support tools. Yet, graphs are not equally useful for all individuals, as people differ substantially in their graph literacy-the ability to understand graphically presented information. Although some features of graphs can be interpreted using spatial-to-conceptual mappings that can be established by adults and children with no graphing experience (e.g., "higher bars equal larger quantities"), other features are linked to arbitrary graph conventions (e.g., axes labels and scales). In two experiments, we examined differences in the processes underlying the comprehension of graphs presenting medical information in individuals with low and high graph literacy. Participants' eye movements were recorded while they interpreted graphs in which information in conventional features was incongruent with that conveyed by spatial features. Results revealed that participants with low graph literacy more often relied on misleading spatial-to-conceptual mappings and misinterpreted the data depicted. Higher graph literacy was often associated with more time spent viewing the conventional features containing essential information for accurate interpretations. This suggests that individuals with high graph literacy are better able to identify the task-relevant information in graphs, and thus attend to the relevant features to a larger extent. Theoretical, methodological, and prescriptive implications for customization of decision-support systems are discussed