This research explores the process viewers undergo when interpreting bar charts. The study suggests that viewers first divide the visualization into units, select, and compare two units. Factors like spatial proximity and color can influence which elements are grouped together and selected for comparison. The study indicates that viewers tend to compare two groups before comparing two individual bars and that second-order comparisons are rare. The paper emphasizes the importance of designing visualizations to guide viewers toward making the appropriate comparisons.
Publication date: 5 Oct 2023
Project Page: Not provided
Paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.02076
