Data Visualization
Margaret Waligora
LIS 7900 Winter 2017
Wayne State University
Data Visualizations in Digital Libraries Annotated Bibliography
Albertson, D. (2015). Synthesizing visual digital library research to formulate a user-centered evaluation framework. New Library World, 116(3), 122-135.
In this article, the author sets out to create a user-centered framework for visual digital libraries. While Albertson’s article is not directly focused on data visualization it provides readers with an interesting perspective regarding the handling of digital libraries with a focus on visual content. Given the unique nature of visual digital libraries it becomes challenging to create a set of standards to evaluate how effective they are. Of interest is Albertson’s examination of the concept of intersection. This concept is explored in more detail in the preceding articles in this bibliography, but Albertson’s breakdown provides readers with a distinct understanding of the importance of interaction as it applies to visualizations in digital libraries.
García A., Paulo, M., David, A., & Salvador, A. (2014).A usability study of taxonomy visualisation user interfaces in digital repositories. Online Information Review. 38(2), 284-304.
This article explores the impact visualizations have on the usability of a digital library application. The authors guide the reader through usability experiments which examine how taxonomies can be visually represented in digital collections. The authors’ approach to this article provides readers with a scientific breakdown of usability testing. However, it is the discussion of the usability outcomes which are most intriguing to the reader. The positive response to the visualizations implemented as a part of the authors’ experiments validate the hypothesis which suggests that users are looking for more browsability in their digital libraries. Given that there had not been a formal study regarding taxonomy visualization user interfaces the findings presented in this study prove to be ground breaking to the continued development of digital libraries.
Bailey, J. j., & Pregill, L. l. (2014). Speak to the Eyes: The History and Practice of Information Visualization. Art Documentation: Bulletin Of The Art Libraries Society Of North America, 33(2), 168-191.
Bailey and Pregill examine the historical timeline of data visualization and its impact on the art and museum world. The authors’ analysis begins in 1783 and leads the reader through to the research conducted in museums, archives and libraries today. The article itself serves as an excellent foundation to the reader’s understanding of the rich history behind data visualizations and their impact on the world of information and subsequently society. Of interest is Bailey and Pregill’s discussion surrounding narrative modeling and collection analysis. The analysis of these two topics empowers readers to consider the various applications in digital collections and virtual libraries.
Bergstrom, P., & Atkinson, D. C. (2010). Augmenting digital libraries with web-based visualizations.Journal of Digital Information Management, 8(6), 377-412.
In this article, Bergstrom and Atkinson provide a breakdown of their user-based study regarding the use of web-based visualizations in digital library applications. As the title suggests, much of the discussion is regarding the implementation of web-based visualization tools to better the user interface of their specified application—PaperCube digital library. The article reads more of a user experience study as the authors walk the reader through a detailed analysis of the visualization features and their presumed impact on the primary persona. Bergstrom and Atkinson examine enhancements to key workflows and features within the application such as navigation, page views, search panes and result lists, zoom widgets and slider controls. The impact these features have on a PaperCube user is discussed at length providing the reader with an understanding of the pragmatic application of web augmented visualizations for digital libraries.
Byrne, A. (2013). Uniting the corpus of our collections through visualization. IFLA Journal, 39(1), 15-19.
Byrne’s article explores the concept of visualizing large library collections while enabling advanced discoverability in the growing digital arena. The focus of this article is the State Library at New South Wales’ struggle to keep up with their massive collection while staying true to one of its core values—easily accessible information for its community. Given the nature of the library’s collection policy this upward trend in acquisitions does not look like it will stop any time soon. How Byrne handles the visualization discussion provides the reader with an informative overview surrounding the unique struggles associated with large physical holdings. While the article itself is written within the context of the struggle to balance acquisitions and solutions for equitable access to information, the author manages to eloquently tie in a detailed analysis surrounding the challenges associated with scaling visualizations for large digital collections.
Deal, L. (2015) Visualizing Digital Collections, Technical Services Quarterly, 32(1), 14-34.
In this article, Laura Deal examines the benefits of data visualization within the structure of an in-depth literature review on the topic tied in a contextual tutorial of the Library of Congress’ Cold War History Project digital library. The article is framed around an overview of the digital shift and its impact on cultural information institutions. The digital shift analysis quickly turns into a critical examination surrounding the current state of digital library user interface best practices, as well as, the gaps left in the user’s experiences with these applications. Deal does a great job identifying these gaps and redefining them as opportunities for cultural institutions to improve their digital libraries. The literature review, while lengthy, is necessary to bring the beginner up to speed on the history of data visualizations and the evolution of their practical application in cultural institutions. Not only does the literature review bring the reader up to date on the essence of data visualizations, but it lends itself nicely to a transition to a call to action amongst the information community to educate, embrace and advance their institutions by means of incorporating data visualization features in existing digital libraries. Deal weaves in success stories like the Cold War History Project to further illuminate the benefits of visualization features in digital libraries as their level of engagement with users exponentially increases over time. Overall, this article does a fantastic job providing readers with a historical overview of data visualization and the success their features bring digital collections over time.
Fast, K. V., & Sedig, K. (2010). Interaction and the epistemic potential of digital libraries. International Journal on Digital Libraries, 11(3), 169-207.
The authors, Fast and Sedig, present the reader with a foundation on which information professionals may reference when introducing visualization features to enhance the digital The authors, Fast and Sedig, present the reader with a foundational framework for information professionals to reference when introducing visualization features to enhance the digital library user’s experience. The authors refer to this framework as interactive visual environments interaction or INERACT-i. What is unique about this framework is the focus on “micro-level interactions” as they apply to the user’s experience and engagement with visualizations in digital libraries. Fast and Sedig go on to describe the basic tenants which make up INTERACT-i. The author’s focus on the interaction (the lower case I in the framework) evolves into analysis of epistemic actions as they pertain to the use of digital libraries. Of interest to readers is Fast and Sedig’s structure to define interactions with visualizations to iteratively develop upon digital libraries.
Grierson, H. J., Corney, J. R., & Hatcher, G. D. (2015). Using visual representations for the searching and browsing of large, complex, multimedia data sets. International Journal of Information Management, 35(2), 244–252.
Grierson, Corney and Hatcher examine the rate at which digitization of materials and the creation of digital libraries have increased over time. The authors suggest that with this increase the field needs to reconsider how digital libraries and their contents are acquired, represented and preserved. Grierson, Corney and Hatcher’s discussion serves as both a criticism and a structure for meaningful conversation in favor of the integration of visualization features in digital libraries. As the article progresses the authors remain optimistic, but critical of visualizations within the context of their research methodology. The author’s research methodology is put to the test in their Searching for Information in a Zoom Landscape (SIZL) system case study. The details of this study are enlightening as they prove the initial hypothesis that the integration of visualizations creates a seamless experience which resonates with end users and leads to increased engagement with digital libraries.
Wan, G. (2006). Visualizations for digital libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, 25(2), 88-102.
This article examines the end user’s journey through a digital library by course of several visualization tool case studies. The author’s discussion around the various visualization tools provides readers with an analysis of their respective pros and cons as it pertains to their application in the realm of digital libraries. The tools discussed range from 3D fluid tree maps to 2D fuzzy visualizations. The breadth of visualizations examined all share the common theme in that they are looked at through the lens of the user experience. This idea of user centered design is paramount to the author, Wan’s, examination. Wan’s inquiry into these visualizations draws parallels between the increasing trend to adopt these tools for ease of use while adhering to the user experience principles pioneered by Sniderman. Overall, this article leaves readers with a real world understanding of the impact of visualizations have on digital library user experience.
Zhang, Y., Liu, S., & Mathews, E. (2015). Convergence of digital humanities and digital libraries. Library Management, 36(4), 362-377.
This article provides readers with an introduction to the topic of digital humanities and its consideration for digital library research. Zhang and Mathews inspect the perspectives regarding the digital humanities within the context of academia. While the primary focus of this article is not necessarily data visualization it does provide readers with a foundational understanding of the facets of digital humanities as it pertains to digital libraries. As demonstrated in the previous annotations, the use of visualization tools in digital library applications have a significant impact on end user’s experience. As the article progresses it becomes clear to the reader that cross-functional collaboration between the digital humanities and the library community is necessary for the advancement of the field and the evolution of digital library applications as a means to support academic research.
