Abstract
This chapter points out data visualization’s double role as explorative and
communicative means in humanities research. We draw from science
and technology studies looking at the mediation process at stake: the
interaction between visualization tool and researcher. To emphasize
this mediation process and expose the various decisions at its heart we
introduce the term ‘data interface’. We highlight how visualizations function as data interfaces and visualization practices allow for interfacing
with data biographing a network graph’s ‘life’. Using the lens of the ‘data
interface’ underscores that a particular (network) visualization provides
just one perspective on the data. Moreover, we examine if and how the used
data interfaces encourage scholars to critically position their investigative
work, during research processes and communication.
communicative means in humanities research. We draw from science
and technology studies looking at the mediation process at stake: the
interaction between visualization tool and researcher. To emphasize
this mediation process and expose the various decisions at its heart we
introduce the term ‘data interface’. We highlight how visualizations function as data interfaces and visualization practices allow for interfacing
with data biographing a network graph’s ‘life’. Using the lens of the ‘data
interface’ underscores that a particular (network) visualization provides
just one perspective on the data. Moreover, we examine if and how the used
data interfaces encourage scholars to critically position their investigative
work, during research processes and communication.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Data Visualization in Society |
Editors | Martin Engebretsen, Helen Kennedy |
Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
Publisher | Amsterdam University Press |
Chapter | 9 |
Pages | 141-156 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978 90 4854 313 7 |
ISBN (Print) | 9789463722902 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Keywords
- Data interface
- Critical positioning
- Mediation
- STS
- Visualnetwork analysis