Give Text A Chance: Advocating for Equal Consideration for Language and Visualization
- Resource Type
- Working Paper
- Authors
- Stokes, Chase; Hearst, Marti A.
- Source
- NL VIZ: 2021 Workshop on Exploring Opportunities and Challenges for Natural Language Techniques to Support Visual Analysis
- Subject
- Computer Science - Human-Computer Interaction
- Language
Visualization research tends to de-emphasize consideration of the textual context in which its images are placed. We argue that visualization research should consider textual representations as a primary alternative to visual options when assessing designs, and when assessing designs, equal attention should be given to the construction of the language as to the visualizations. We also call for a consideration of readability when integrating visualizations with written text. In highlighting these points, visualization research would be elevated in efficacy and demonstrate thorough accounting for viewers' needs and responses.
Comment: 2 pages