Task Cube

ToDo check if update: User tasks play a pivotal role in visualization design and evaluation. However, the term ‘task’ is used ambiguously within the visualization community. In this article, we critically analyze the relevant literature and systematically compare definitions for ‘task’ and the usage of related terminology. In doing so, we identify a threedimensional conceptual space of user tasks in visualization, the :::::: referred ::: to :: as : task cube, and the more precise concepts ‘problem ::::::: objective’ and ‘action’ for tasks. We illustrate the usage of the task cube’s dimensions in a problem-driven :: an ::::::::::::: objective-driven visualization process, in different settings of visualization design and evaluation, and in relation to theoretical task frameworks. Thus, visualization researchers can better formulate their contributions which helps advance visualization as a whole.