There is no aspect of human culture that may not potentially be touched by computing.
And data visualization overlaps with the area of Human-Computer Interaction
(HCI) which is as broad as computing and a broad as all of human society. Thus,
researchers in the area of HCI borrow techniques from Psychology, Sociology,
Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, as well as many other
areas of knowledge.
The range of methods of analysis that can be applied is ranges from techniques
borrowed from the physical sciences to techniques that come from literary criticism.
Interactive visualization research is also constructive. Often the most valuable
contributions involve developing new methods for solving problems. Nevertheless,
simply developing something is not usually enough. It is also necessary to convince
other people that what you have done is valuable and this usually involves both
analysis and testing.
Here is a partial list of the research techniques that apply in Visualization
research
Rapid Prototyping and Spiral Design: Often the most effective systems are first built using quick and dirty methods, then evalutated and modified in a cyclical spiral design process. Sometimes the early implementation can consist of a set of sheets of paper representing interfaces screens.
Proof of Concept Prototypes: This used to be the most common style of research. In essence this meant building a system and then describing it. In so far as the people who built sustems were also the ones to describe them, the descriptions were often overly positive. "Look didn't I build a great system". The great advantage of all the prototyping methods is that they are constructive and not just critical. Most of the methods listed above only apply to evaluating theories.
Graphics Algorithms: Graphics algorithms are needed to transform data into display. However, often the simplest algorithms are the most effective.
Interactive methods: The most effective techniques for exploratory data
analysis involve rapidly revealing and hiding data "on demand" using
techniques such as brushing and direct manipulation.
Psychophysics: In psychophysics measurements of human performance are
made using the methods of physical science. The methods are useful to measure
the human sensitivity to light or sound, for example. In HCI Psychophysical
methods are used to study such things as reaching using the mouse and the legibility
of text on a keyboard.
Evaluation Techniques
Cognitive Psychology: In cognitive psychology the human brain is assumed
to consist of a number of processing centers that interact with one another.
Experimental methods are designed to test models of these processing centers.
The classic example of a cognitive theory is the division of memory into long
term and short term components. Techniques from cognitive psychology are widely
used in HCI. For example, In dual processing tasks we can determine how much
cognitive load is placed on the user by a particular aspect of a user interface.
Sociology and Anthropology: Artifact analysis: In anthropology, the goal
is often to find out how some particular object or "artifact" is use
in its cultural setting. It is religeous? Is it used for something practical?
etc. The point is that in order to understand the object it is necessary to
place it in a cultural context. In user interfaces, the computer program is
treated as an artifact that is placed in the cultural context of its intended
use. We study how it functions within the office or home work or play environment.
Scenarios: In a scenario, someone invents a system or program and then
writes a story about how this might be used. Often, the result looks a lot like
a film script. For example, A lot of work on the early develpment of Personal
Digital Assistants was done in this way. A scenario may be a useful way of getting
funding to build a prototype.
Role playing: Role playing involves acting out a scenario. It is usually
coupled with a considerable amount of brain storming to try to find useful extensions
to the object being designed. This is especially useful with meeting support
tools.
Wizard of Oz: In the Wizard of Oz method a person is made to simulate
how the computer should react in some yet-to-be implemented user interface.
This is especially useful in designing help systems. In essence the computer
becomes human powered rather than silicon powered.
The actual measurement tools used in assessment are extremely
varied
Some of the more common measurements are the following:
In addition there are many highly specialized methods borrowed
from various sciences.