The role of experience and culture in computer graphing and graph interpretive processes

Authors:
Lee Brasseur
Affiliations:
Illinois State Univ., Normal
Venue:
SIGDOC '99 Proceedings of the 17th annual international conference on Computer documentation
Year:
1999

Citing 3
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ACM SIGDOC Asterisk Journal of Computer Documentation
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Abstract

This paper supports critics of current approaches to the development of computer graphing and graph visualization programs which model the user as an individual problem solver reliant on perceptual skills. These critics argue that such a model of graphing is ill-suited to meet the complex needs of real users. This paper agrees with this criticism and provides conclusions from two bodies of literature on graphing practices which have not been traditionally cited in studies of computer development, graph production and human factors. These literature surveys are taken from the fields of the sociology of scientific and technical practices and of educational research in science and technology. Surveys of these literatures illustrate the importance of experience and culture in the successful practice of designing and interpreting graphs.