The Science of Analytical Reasoning

ion and aggregation Visualizations simplify and organize information, supplying higher centers with aggregated forms of information through abstraction and selective omission [Card et al., 1991; Resnikoff, 1989]. Visual schemata for organization Visually organizing data by structural relationships (e.g., by time) enhances patterns. Value, relationship, trend Visualizations can be constructed to enhance patterns at all three levels [Bauer et al., 1999]. 4. Perceptual inference Visual representations make some problems obvious Visualizations can support a large number of perceptual inferences that are extremely easy for humans [Larkin & Simon, 1987]. Graphical computations Visualizations can enable complex, specialized graphical computations [Hutchins, 1996]. 5. Perceptual monitoring Visualizations can allow for the monitoring of a large number of potential events if the display is organized so that these stand out by appearance or motion. 6. Manipulable medium Unlike static diagrams, visualizations can allow exploration of a space of parameter values and can amplify user operations. The Science of Analytical Reasoning 49