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The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Department of Geography EXPLICITLY REPRESENTING GEOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN MAP ANIMATIONS WITH BIVARIATE SYMBOLIZATION A Thesis in Geography by M. Thomas A. Auer 2009 M. Thomas A. Auer Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science August 2009 ii The thesis of M. Thomas A. Auer was reviewed and approved* by the following: Alan M. MacEachren Professor of Geography Thesis Advisor Cynthia A. Brewer Professor of Geography Karl Zimmerer Professor of Geography Head of the Department of Geography *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT Animated maps provide an intuitive method for representing univariate time-series data, but often fail in presenting additional relevant information saliently, making recognition of certain patterns difficult. Using a second visual variable in animations to represent the magnitude of change between time states has been suggested as an effective method for enabling users to more easily recognize patterns of change in a geographic time-series. This work seeks to answer the question: Does explicitly representing geographic change in animated maps enable users to answer questions about patterns of change easily? To address this research question, bivariate symbols (with both the value of the data and the magnitude of change between time frames represented) were created and tested. Selective attention theory (SAT) was used in selecting bivariate symbol types (separable and integral). Domain analysis with experts from the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) was performed to determine appropriate map reading tasks for use in task-based experiments using AKN data. Combined with existing task typologies, material from the domain analysis helped form a new task typology of movement patterns found in aggregated spatiotemporal point data. Formal task-based experiments followed, where participants were placed into one of five experiment groups (each using a different symbol) and asked to perform the same series of statement agreement and certainty ratings while studying map animations. Results show that aside from questions explicitly about change, univariate non-change symbolization may be most appropriate. Future studies should focus on testing different data relationships (independent, interdependent, or unrelated) with symbol variations that may have different attention behaviors as predicted by SAT. The results presented here improve the understanding of whether explicit change symbolization helps elucidate geographic time-series patterns or hinders the overall effectiveness of map animation. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... xii 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Exploratory Geovisualization ..................................................................................... 2 1.1.1 Map Animations .............................................................................................. 3 1.2 Avian Knowledge Network Data ............................................................................... 4 1.2.2 Visualization Demand ..................................................................................... 4 1.3 Representing Geographic Change .............................................................................. 5 1.3.1 Understanding Complex Time-Series Patterns ............................................... 5 1.3.2 Relevant Monitoring Tasks ............................................................................. 6 1.4 Questions .................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.1 Main Question ................................................................................................. 7 1.4.2 Secondary Question ......................................................................................... 7 1.4.3 Tertiary Question ............................................................................................. 7 1.5 Selective Attention Theory ........................................................................................ 8 1.5.1 Bivariate Symbolization .................................................................................. 8 1.6 Approach & Expectations .......................................................................................... 9 1.6.1 Domain Analysis ............................................................................................. 9 1.6.1.1 Expectations ......................................................................................... 10 1.6.2 Task-based Experiment ................................................................................... 10 1.6.2.1 Expectations ......................................................................................... 11 1.7 Implications ................................................................................................................ 11 1.8 Thesis Overview ........................................................................................................ 12 2 Literature Review................................................................................................................ 14 2.1 Animated Map Use .................................................................................................... 14 2.1.1 Origins ............................................................................................................. 15 2.1.1.1 Dynamic Variables ............................................................................... 15 2.1.1.2 Static Small-Multiples .......................................................................... 16 2.1.2 Critiques of Animation Use ............................................................................. 17 2.1.3 Appropriate Reading Tasks ............................................................................. 19 2.1.4 Typologies & Change Monitoring .................................................................. 20 2.2 Representing Change ................................................................................................. 22 2.2.1 Background ..................................................................................................... 22 2.2.2 MapTime ......................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Bivariate Point Symbols ............................................................................................. 24 2.4 Selective Attention Theory ........................................................................................ 25 2.4.1 Nelson’s Experiments ..................................................................................... 26 2.5 Experiment Design ..................................................................................................... 27 v 2.5.1 Domain Analysis ............................................................................................. 27 2.5.1.1 Focus Groups ........................................................................................ 28 2.5.1.2 Target Users ......................................................................................... 29 2.5.2 Task-based Experiment ................................................................................... 31 2.5.2.1 Guiding Examples ................................................................................ 32 3 Domain Analysis & Task Typology Formation ................................................................... 33 3.1 Domain Analysis ........................................................................................................ 33 3.1.1 Domain Experts ............................................................................................... 34 3.1.2 Focus Group Session ....................................................................................... 34 3.1.2.1 Protocol ................................................................................................ 35 3.1.2.2 Animated Map Stimuli ......................................................................... 36 3.1.2.3 Outcomes .............................................................................................. 38 3.2 Focus Group Session Coding & Task Typology Formation ...................................... 40 3.2.1 Focus Group Material ...................................................................................... 40 3.2.2 Task Coding .................................................................................................... 41 3.2.3 Existing Typology Application ....................................................................... 43 3.2.3.1 Wehrend ............................................................................................... 44 3.2.3.2 Blok ...................................................................................................... 44 3.2.3.3 Andrienko et al. .................................................................................... 45 3.2.4 Task Categorization & Structure
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