PREVis: Perceived Readability Evaluation for Visualizations


Although readability is recognized as an essential quality of data visualizations, so far there has not been a unified definition of the construct in the context of visual representations. As a result, researchers often lack guidance for determining how to ask people to rate their perceived readability of a visualization. To address this issue, we engaged in a rigorous process to develop the first validated instrument targeted at the subjective readability of visual data representations. Our final instrument consists of 11 items across 4 dimensions: understandability, layout clarity, readability of data values, and readability of data patterns.

Continue reading PREVis: Perceived Readability Evaluation for Visualizations

A cognitive load approach to designing and evaluating data visualizations

Visual representations of data are increasingly prevalent, but we lack a detailed theoretical framework to explain what factors make easy or difficult to read and understand; nor do we know how such factors can impact data visualizations’ efficiency as learning material.

In this Master’s Thesis, I address this gap by exploring the validity and applicability of Cognitive Load Theory, an educational and cognitive science theoretical framework, for designing and evaluating data visualizations. Beyond empirical findings, I also contribute an interdisciplinary perspective on the cognitive processing of visualizations, and I discuss implications in assessing readability in visualization studies.

Continue reading A cognitive load approach to designing and evaluating data visualizations