Representing+the+Data


 * Examples of Visual Representations of Data**

[|A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods] - A beautiful, useful table, modeled on the periodic table of elements, that attempts to categorize a plethora of different ways of representing data visually, and then groups them by the functions they serve and the types of thinking they engender. As you mouse over the top of a particular box in the table, an example of that kind of representation will pop up.

Graphic Design - This site contains links to information and tools related to a variety of aspects of graphic design

Matei, Sorin A. (2004). Mental maps: Making the invisible visible. Retrieved November 14, 2006, from http://www.mentalmaps.info/

[|State of the Pandemic] - Note how each example of visually represented data helps you to understand and remember a particular idea.

[|16 Awesome Data Visualization Tools] - Very cool, free web 2.0 tools (mashups) for data visualization--esp. data from social networks.


 * Scholarship on Multiple Representations & Visual Thinking** (More coming soon!)

Ainsworth, S., & Th Loizou, A. (2001, October). **The effects of self-explaining when learning with text or diagrams** (Technical Report No. 76). Nottingham, UK: University of Nottingham, ESCR Centre for Research in Development, Instruction, and Training. Retrieved April 30, 2005, from http://www.psychology.nottingham.ac.us/staff/ShaaronAinsworth/SelfExplain.pdf - An absolutely outstanding article that provides a strong theoretical framework based on empirical research for understanding the potential cognitive influences of text and diagrams and the ways that they promote or constrain learning.

Few, Stephen. (2004, September). **Data presentation: Tapping the power of visual perception.** //Intelligent Enterprise.// Retrieved July 3, 2005, from http://www.intelligententerprise.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=31400009&pgno=1 - An excellent article written for the lay person with clear examples that will help you to understand the dos and don'ts of data representation using visual techniques.

Johnson-Laird, P.N. (1998). **Imagery, visualization, and thinking.** In J. Hochberg (Ed.), //Perception and cognition at the century's end// (pp. 441-467). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Retrieved April 30, 2005, from http://www.nbu.bg/cogs/events/2002/materials/Markus/Imagery%20Visualization%20and%20Thinking.pdf - This article is helpful in explaining how imagery and visualization support thinking.

Lengler, Ralph, & Eppler, Martin J. (n.d.). **Towards a periodic table of visualization methods for management.** Retrieved January 7, 2006, from: http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.pdf - This article provides useful information regarding the kinds of visual representations researchers might choose to use, the functions they serve, and the thinking they make possible.

[|McLoughlin], C., & Krakowski, K. (2001). **Technological tools for visual thinking: What does the research tell us?** Retrieved April 30, 2005, from http://auc.uow.edu.au/conf/conf01/downloads/AUC2001_McLoughlin_1.pdf - This article provides a helpful conceptual framework that connects philosophy, scholarship, and theory to provide a rationale for using technological tools to support visual thinking.

Mishra, Punyashloke, & Nguyen, Jahiel K. (1998). **Multiple visual representations of the periodic system of elements: Epistemological and pedagogic implications.** Proceedings of the 1997 International Visual Literacy Association Conference, State College, PA. Retrieved April 30, 2005, from: http://punya.educ.msu.edu/punyaweb/pubs/print/periodic-ivla/periodic-ivla.pdf

And a link to visual maps of other researchers working in a similar vein (which I also thought was an interesting approach, particularly when coupled with the concepts of social capital and social network analysis—although I realize that it is dangerous to infer too much based on the position of the information in these particular maps): http://www.visual-literacy.org/pages/documents.htm Nonetheless, I find myself wondering if the bolded researchers might not be