Effective Representation of Information: Generalizing Free Rides

Gem Stapleton; M. Jamnik; Atsushi Shimojima

Abstract

In order to effectively communicate information, the choice of representation is important. Ideally, a representation will aid readers in making desired inferences. In this poster, we introduce the theory of observation: what it means for one statement to be observable from another. Using observability, we sketch a characterization of the observational advantages of one representation over another. By considering observational advantages, people will be able to make better informed choices of representations. To demonstrate the benefit of observation and observational advantages, we apply these concepts to set theory and Euler diagrams.We show that Euler diagrams have significant observational advantages over set theory. This formally justifies Larkin and Simon'sclaim that "a diagram is (sometimes) worth ten thousand words".

Original language	English
Pages	296-299
Number of pages	4
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2016
Event	9th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams - Philadelphia, USA, 7-10 Aug 2016 Duration: 1 Jan 2016 → …

Conference

Conference	9th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams
Period	1/01/16 → …

Bibliographical note

The final publication is available at Springer via http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-42333-3_28

Access to Document

inferential-advantages-diagrams2016Revised.pdfAccepted author manuscript, 190 KBLicence: Unspecified

http://www.diagrams-conference.org/2016/WelcomeLicence: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Effective Representation of Information: Generalizing Free Rides",

abstract = "In order to effectively communicate information, the choice of representation is important. Ideally, a representation will aid readers in making desired inferences. In this poster, we introduce the theory of observation: what it means for one statement to be observable from another. Using observability, we sketch a characterization of the observational advantages of one representation over another. By considering observational advantages, people will be able to make better informed choices of representations. To demonstrate the benefit of observation and observational advantages, we apply these concepts to set theory and Euler diagrams.We show that Euler diagrams have significant observational advantages over set theory. This formally justifies Larkin and Simon'sclaim that {"}a diagram is (sometimes) worth ten thousand words{"}.",

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N2 - In order to effectively communicate information, the choice of representation is important. Ideally, a representation will aid readers in making desired inferences. In this poster, we introduce the theory of observation: what it means for one statement to be observable from another. Using observability, we sketch a characterization of the observational advantages of one representation over another. By considering observational advantages, people will be able to make better informed choices of representations. To demonstrate the benefit of observation and observational advantages, we apply these concepts to set theory and Euler diagrams.We show that Euler diagrams have significant observational advantages over set theory. This formally justifies Larkin and Simon'sclaim that "a diagram is (sometimes) worth ten thousand words".

AB - In order to effectively communicate information, the choice of representation is important. Ideally, a representation will aid readers in making desired inferences. In this poster, we introduce the theory of observation: what it means for one statement to be observable from another. Using observability, we sketch a characterization of the observational advantages of one representation over another. By considering observational advantages, people will be able to make better informed choices of representations. To demonstrate the benefit of observation and observational advantages, we apply these concepts to set theory and Euler diagrams.We show that Euler diagrams have significant observational advantages over set theory. This formally justifies Larkin and Simon'sclaim that "a diagram is (sometimes) worth ten thousand words".

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