Visualization for search: exploring complex and dynamic information spaces

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dc.contributor.advisorCarpendale, Sheelagh
dc.contributor.advisorWilliamson, Carey
dc.contributor.authorDoerk, Marian
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T22:36:44Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T22:36:44Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 207-232en
dc.descriptionA few pages are in colour.en
dc.descriptionIncludes copy of ethics approvals and copyright permissions. Original copies with original Partial Copyright Licence.en
dc.description.abstractDigital information has become immensely abundant and ubiquitous in our lives. During work or leisure, we traverse search results, news items, and status updates for a wide range of purposes. Typically, information is displayed as lists ordered by relevance or recency, which may be sufficient for displaying a few items. However, considering the substantial increases in complexity and scale of many information spaces, lists are of limited use for discerning how resources are related or what a collection contains. In contrast, information visualization can utilize our perception to reveal patterns and provide overviews of large datasets. This dissertation investigates the potential of visualization for navigating grow­ing information spaces, and presents methods for arranging and accessing digital information. Unlike most information seeking models that emphasize informational deficiencies, the approach taken here highlights information practices characterized by curiosity. Picturing the searcher as an information flaneur with an exploratory attitude, we can envision innovative interfaces for accessing information. Three design studies are presented that are aimed to support casual exploration while attending to the challenges and opportunities of informational abundance. Addressing the diversity of relationships in many datasets, EdgeMaps combines spatialization with graph-drawing techniques. Using an integrated representation it is possible to see the semantic or temporal extent of influence, for example, among philosophers or musicians. Visual Backchannel is motivated by highly dynamic communication channels during large events and integrates evolving visualizations for topics, participants, and photos of ongoing conversations. Approaching the dif­ference in scale between large result sets and individual items, Fluid Views narrows the gap between overview and detail in a zoomable search environment, in which results portray similarity via position and relevance via size and level of detail. The research is validated by prototype implementations, a large-scale Web study study, deployment during conferences, and consultations with search experts. The dissertation ends with a critical reflection about the role of values in information visualization. The insights gained from empirical and theoretical methods suggest novel forms of information seeking and raise challenges for research and design.
dc.format.extentxiii, 232 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationDoerk, M. (2012). Visualization for search: exploring complex and dynamic information spaces (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/5018en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/5018
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/106019
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleVisualization for search: exploring complex and dynamic information spaces
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 2106 627942976
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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