The notion of overview in information visualization

TY - JOUR

T1 - The notion of overview in information visualization

AU - Hornbæk, Kasper

AU - Hertzum, Morten

PY - 2011/7

Y1 - 2011/7

N2 - Overview is a frequently used notion and design goal in information-visualization research and practice. However, it is difficult to find a consensus on what an overview is and to appreciate its relation to how users understand and navigate an information space. We review papers that use the notion of overview and develop a model. The model highlights the awareness that makes up an overview, the process by which users acquire it, the usefulness of overviews, and the role of user-interface components in developing an overview. We discuss the model in relation to classic readings in information visualization and use it to generate recommendations for future research.

AB - Overview is a frequently used notion and design goal in information-visualization research and practice. However, it is difficult to find a consensus on what an overview is and to appreciate its relation to how users understand and navigate an information space. We review papers that use the notion of overview and develop a model. The model highlights the awareness that makes up an overview, the process by which users acquire it, the usefulness of overviews, and the role of user-interface components in developing an overview. We discuss the model in relation to classic readings in information visualization and use it to generate recommendations for future research.

KW - Awareness, Information visualization, Overview, Overview+detail

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2011.02.007

DO - 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2011.02.007

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1071-5819

VL - 69

SP - 509

EP - 525

JO - International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

JF - International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

IS - 7-8

ER -