Comparative Graphics: History and Applications of Perceptual Integrality Theory and the Proximity Compatibility Hypothesis

摘要

Interest has been recently renewed in the development and use of graphic displays for situations requiring the timely assimilation of large amounts of quantitative information. The present report traces the development of many of the graphic formats in common use today and reviews the experimental literature that compares alternative techniques. The proximity compatibility hypothesis is used to integrate the experimental work and is recommended as a framework to guide future experimentation and design decisions. Research issues regarding the appropriate functional classification of graphical formats, the designation of graphical proximity, are also discussed. Keywords: Displays, Graphs, Graphics, S-C-R compatibility, Compatibility of proximity, Information integration. (SDW)