Workshop: The Role of Theory in Information Visualization
Information visualization is a very applied field that prides itself on its practical applications and real-world scenarios. Ignoring the theoretical side is dangerous, however, because it limits our ability to distill useful information about the foundations of the field from the practical work being done, and limits our understanding of how and why our own creations work. The goal of this workshop at VisWeek 2010 is to bring together researchers interested in the theoretical aspects of visualization, define the field, discuss ideas and approaches, and get the word out about the importance of theoretical research in information visualization.
Schedule
- 8:30: First Session, Perception and Cognition
- Intro
- Erik Anderson, Carlos Scheidegger, Claudio Silva, The Role of Perception and Cognition Costs in Models of Visualization Effectiveness
- Jonathan C. Roberts, Rick Walker, Using All Our Senses: The Need for a Unified Theoretical Approach to Multi-sensory Information Visualization
- Georges Grinstein, Arguments for a Theory of Visualization
- 9:15: Second Session, Modeling Information Transmission
- Aritra Dasgupta, Robert Kosara, The Need for Information Loss Metrics in Visualization
- Lars Grammel, Margaret-Anne Storey, Towards a Foundation for Information Visualization Engineering
- Ji Soo Yi, Toward Practical Information Visualization Theory: Lessons from the History of Decision Science
- 10:00: Break
- 10:30: Third Session, Foundations
- Zhicheng Liu, John Stasko, Theories in Information Visualization: What, Why and How
- Miriah Meyer, Contributions, Methods, and Unique Characteristics of Design Studies
- Olivier Swienty, Masahiro Takatsuka, From subjectivity to objectivity in information visualization: challenges in bridging the gap between cognitive theory and information design
- 11:15: Fourth Session
- Open Discussion
- Wrap-Up
- 12:00: End of Workshop
Structure
The workshop will be based mostly on discussions. We invite speakers to submit short (2-page) position statements. A small number of these will be invited to give very brief (3-minute) presentations at the workshop. The goal is not to present large bodies of work, but to have the presentations spark discussions.
As an extension of the workshop, we are planning a special issue of a journal devoted to theoretical work in information visualization. More details on this will be coming soon.
Participation
Everybody at VisWeek 2010 is welcome to participate in the discussions.
There is no separate registration or fee, it's all included in the your VisWeek package. All you have to do is show up at the workshop.
Date, Time, Place
October 25, 2010 (Monday), from 8:30am to 12pm in Imperial Ballroom CD
Topics
There are many different views of and approaches to theory in visualization. We want to discuss them and come to an understanding of what encompasses theory. Topics that the organizers currently consider theory include:
- Perceptual research
- Design studies
- Ways of systematically exploring the visualization design space
- Methodological work: how do we do our work, and how can we improve our processes?
- Representation, structure, metaphors: how and why do we attach meaning to visual shapes?
- Reference datasets and tasks
Also, how do we make it easier to publish this kind of work? What makes for a good theory paper? Can a theory paper stand on its own, without an application or immediate use? Etc.
Organizers
- Robert Kosara, UNC Charlotte
- T.J. Jankun-Kelly, Mississippi State University
- Chris Weaver, University of Oklahoma
Posted by Robert Kosara on July 14, 2010.