Visualization in information retrieval: a three-level analysis

Abstract

Visualization in information retrieval (IR) is a rapidly emerging area in which human-computer interaction (HCI) is adapted to the design of interfaces for IR systems. There are numerous proposals for the development of new visual IR systems. In parallel with the advent of advanced software and hardware, the attempts to design visualization-based IR systems are stimulated with the promise that information visualization applies visual processing to abstract information. Under this rapid development in the research area, there are few attempts to conceptualize this new field of study. This paper intends to classify the works of visualization for IR system design in a systematic way, by providing a mosaic view of the emerging area of visualization in IR system design. The paper proposes a three-level approach to analyzing visualization in IR system design: (i) component level analysis, (ii) technique level analysis and (iii) interaction level analysis. This three-level approach helps us to understand the state of visualization for the design of IR systems in multiple ways. The three-level approach also enables us in further serious investigation in this emerging field that has been created by the intersection of visualization and IR, by allowing us to look at different layers of visualization in IR that have both technical and theoretical concerns.

Information retrieval by metabrowsing

“…With respect to data types and representations, Song (2000) identifies seven distinct classes of techniques used in graphical IR interfaces: (1) point data techniques, (2) vector entity techniques, (3) scalar entity techniques, (4) tree/hierarchical techniques, (5) network techniques, (6) map techniques, and (7) bibliometric mapping techniques. Metabrowsing is related to the techniques (4) and (5), as will become clear in the next section, The Archimedes Network System .…”

A framework for evaluating geographical information

“…Historically, cartographers have designed maps to fulfil this function; in a digital environment geovizualization has been developed to promote the exploration of GI [35]. This activity is developing in parallel with work on visualization in information retrieval [36].…”

Taxonomies

“…Visualisation -this is the area where human-computer interaction is adapted to the design of interfaces for information retrieval systems and is the method whereby the design of the interfaces takes much more account than previously of the needs of the p erson interrogating the database, by allowing it to be used intuitively and without too much effort. A very useful paper exploring _c the issues has been written by Min Song (Song, 2000).…”