Geography: Information Visualization in the Social Sciences

Abstract

This review of scientific visualization in the social sciences contains an extensive review of recent literature and Internet sources on visualization and discusses the extent to which four key visualization technologies—the World Wide Web, multimedia, virtual reality, and computer graphics—are prevalent in the different social sciences. The review includes examples taken from political science, psychology, social statistics, economics, and geography. It concludes that visualization research in the social sciences is, at present, relatively uncoordinated with no central core. It tends to be dominated by those subjects with the closest links to the natural sciences, with a clear pattern of diffusion from scientific to social scientific research.

Addressing Social Dilemmas With Mascots, Information, and Graphics

“…Though few economic studies have been conducted, some studies in fields such as journalism have addressed visualization of data in two-and threedimensional formats. For example, Chen, Härdle, and Unwin (2008) provided a catalogue of types of data graphics from a computing perspective; Segel and Heer (2010) analyzed storytelling with data from a journalism perspective; Wickens, Merwin, and Lin (1994) tested subjects' retention of data displayed in 2D versus 3D formats; Orford, Harris, and Dorling (1999) provided a review of how data visualizations are used in different fields with the conclusion that the topic is studied less in social sciences than natural sciences. With regard to environmental issues, Polson and Selin (2012) described a project in which information on energy use in a "green" building was displayed to the public to encourage people to engage with environmental data in a meaningful way.…”

‘A Picture Is Worth 10,000 Words’: A Module to Test the ‘Visualization Hypothesis’ in Quantitative Methods Teaching

“…[ Table 1 Induction Module Structure HERE] GIS-based visualization is thought to motivate students in their learning, with stimulation tools being used to explore patterns and relationships between visualized variables (Orford et al 1998, Forbes 2012. These aspects of visualization have been described in a framework consisting of four functions; from 'exploration' and 'analysis' of data to the 'synthesis' and 'presentation' of information (McEachren et al 2004, Smith et al, 2013.…”

Visualization of ergonomic guidelines — A comparison of two computer aided systems to support vehicle design

“…Suitable visualizations have been developed to present data in different fields, e.g. social and economic statistics often visualize quantitative information with graphs and charts; geographic sciences utilize spatial data and maps (Orford et al, 1999); whereas medical and biological sciences use photos and drawings to explain qualitative information such as biological details (Moore, 1992). Some travel guides (Tillier, 1993) use different types of visualization to present cities by means of integrated photos and text in maps.…”