Inproceedings,
A Comparison of Set-Based and Graph-Based Visualisations of Overlapping Classification Hierarchies
Advanced Visual Interfaces, page 41--50. Palermo, Italy, (2000)
DOI: 10.1145/345513.345243
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 a 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 from these probable issues
for future prototyping and development are drawn.
