Tangible Line Graphs: An Experimental Investigation of Three Formats Using Capsule Paper

Abstract

This study explores three formats for the presentation of tangible line graphs to visually handicapped people, using the capsule-paper production process. The formats are L/no-grid (standard x and y axes/data curves on smooth background), box/no-grid (duplicated axes enclose graph space on all four sides/smooth background), and box/grid (duplicated axes/data curves superimposed on grid). Subjects answered questions concerning the coordinate value of points, the difference in coordinate value between two points, and configurational aspects of the data. Questions that involved determining coordinate values were answered most accurately from the box/grid format, followed by the box/no-grid, and, lastly, the L/no-grid. Response times did not differ. A different pattern emerged with questions concerning configurational aspects of the graph. With these there was no difference in accuracy between the formats, but the L/no-grid format led to faster responding than the box/no-grid, which in turn was faster than the box/grid. The practical implications of these data are considered.

Best Graph Type to Compare Discrete Groups: Bar, Dot, and Tally

“…It is suggested that grid-ongraph and grid-underlay-graph are more efficient (more accuracy and less time) to process than no-grid graphs (Lederman and Campbell, 1983). Participants had higher accuracy with grid graphs than with no-grid graphs (Aldrich and Parkin, 1987). Further studies should test whether the grid lines can assist the group comparison in graphs.…”

The world of touch: an international survey of tactile maps. Part 1: production

“…Indeed, empirical studies of production methods have tended to concentrate on these two (Aldrich & Parkin, 1987;Dacen Nagel & Coulson, 1990;Pike, Blades & Spencer, 1992). Figure 5 supports this notion with figures indicating that 55% of respondents used thermoform as a means of tactile production and 63% used microcapsule paper.…”

“…Introduction z Since Gilson, Wurtzburger and Johnson (1965) identified the need for more research on tactile maps, there has been a steady trickle of studies into both the design (Bentzen & Peck, 1979;Horsfall & Vanston, 1981;Lederman, 1979;Vasconcellos, 1993Vasconcellos, , 1994 and methods of production (Aldrich & Parkin, 1987;Dacen Nagel & Coulson, 1990;Pike, Blades & Spencer, 1992) of tactile maps, as well as some research-based practical primers (Bentzen, 1997;Edman, 1992;Hinton, 1996). However, from informal discussions with tactile map producers, there seems to be little evidence that the findings of such studies have had a significant impact on the practice of map design and production.…”

Maps on microcapsule paper: the performance of visually impaired children

“…A few experiments have investigated the effectiveness of microcapsule paper for producing diagrams (e.g. Aldrich and Parkin, 1987;Kirkwood, 1986), but only one recent study has included a direct comparison of microcapsule and thermoform maps. In that study Dacen-Nagel and Coulson (1990) asked visually impaired adults to use both thermoform and microcapsule maps (of the same area) to answer questions about routes and the location of different places on the maps.…”