Processing of Graphical Information: A Decomposition Taxonomy to Match Data Extraction Tasks and Graphical Representations.

Author List: Tan, Joseph K. H.; Benbasat, Izak;
Information Systems Research, 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4, Page 394-439.
The design of the user-computer interface is an important component of information system design, especially for interactive systems developed for managerial users. Graphical information presentation methods, which are among the options to be considered in interface design, have gained popularity in recent years as they have become more affordable due to cost reductions in hardware and the availability of software packages. Consequently, systems designers now face a large array of graphical representation options to choose from. Yet, graphics research over the last several years has either produced results that are contradictory or are difficult to interpret and evaluate because of the lack of a sound taxonomy for classifying tasks associated with the processing of graphical information. A key issue facing researchers is, therefore, to develop a taxonomy of tasks for guiding research in the graphics domain. This paper is an attempt to address part of this need by integrating current perspectives on how humans process information presented in graphical form into frameworks and taxonomies useful for understanding, measuring, and evaluating the relative merits of different forms of graphical representation. The paper begins with a review of the relevant literature from which two taxonomies are developed for a selected set of tasks and graphical representations. These taxonomies are then matched using the notion of anchoring characteristics. Anchoring, in the context of this paper, refers to the phenomenon that specific and diverse parts of an image are segmented by graph readers to act as salient and relevant cues, or anchors, when different classes of information are to be extracted from it. In addition, the paper examines the underlying theoretical and empirical support for the anchoring notion, and suggests ways in which the theoretical framework presented may be extended to other tasks and graphical representations.
Keywords: Data extraction; Graphical representation; Processing of graphical information; Task taxonomy
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#266 0.230 information presentation graphics format systems graphical graphs design recall representation comprehension experimental presentations experiment presented variables formats graphic tabular led
#222 0.112 research researchers framework future information systems important present agenda identify areas provide understanding contributions using literature studies paper potential review
#231 0.082 information management data processing systems corporate article communications organization control distributed department capacity departments major user hardware cost applications expansion
#175 0.081 taxonomy systems different concept isd alternative generalization mechanistic distinction types generalizability theoretical speech richer induction original form inductive empirical organic
#167 0.078 workflow tools set paper management specification command support formal implemented scenarios associated sequence large derived taxonomies called given systematic specifications
#86 0.069 methods information systems approach using method requirements used use developed effective develop determining research determine assessment useful series critical existing
#295 0.067 task fit tasks performance cognitive theory using support type comprehension tools tool effects effect matching types theories modification working time
#283 0.060 interface user users interaction design visual interfaces human-computer navigation human need cues studies guidelines laboratory functional developed restricted know guided
#61 0.057 reuse results anchoring potential strategy assets leading reusability incentives impact bias situations effect similarity existing extraction reusable improvement necessary enhancing