1Visual AnalyticsCS 4460/7450 - Information VisualizationMarch 5, 2009John StaskoAgenda• Overview of what the term means and how it relates to information visualization• Some example VA research projects• Specific example, Jigsaw, helping investigative analysisSpring 2009 2CS 4460/7450233AcknowledgmentSlides looking like this provided courtesy of Jim ThomasVisual Analytics• A new term for something that is familiar to all of us• Informal description:− Using visual representations to help make decisionsSpring 2009 4CS 4460/74503VA vs. InfoVis• Compare & contrastSpring 2009 5CS 4460/7450#Visual Analytics Definition Visual analytics is the science of analytical reasoning facilitated by interactive visual interfaces. People use visual analytics tools and techniques to Synthesize information and derive insight from massive, dynamic, ambiguous, and often conflicting data Detect the expected and discover the unexpected Provide timely, defensible, and understandable assessments Communicate assessment effectively for action.“The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.” ~Frank Herbert (1920 - 1986)Thomas & Cook20054Visual Analytics• Not really an “area” per se• Combines multiple areas or disciplines• Ultimately about using data to improve our knowledge and help make decisionsSpring 2009 7CS 4460/7450Alternate Definition• Visual analytics combines automated analysis techniques with interactive visualizations for an effective understanding, reasoning and decision making on the basis of very large and complex data setsKeim et al, chapter inInformation Visualization: Human-CenteredIssues and Perspectives, 2008Spring 2009 8CS 4460/74505Synergy• Combine strengths of both human and electronic data processing− Gives a semi-automated analytical process− Use strengths from eachFrom KeimSpring 2009 9CS 4460/7450Main ComponentsInteractivevisualizationComputationalanalysisAnalyticalreasoning10CS 4460/7450Spring 20096Back to InfoVis Comparison• Clearly much overlap• Perhaps fair to say that infovis hasn’t always focused on analysis tasks so much and that it doesn’t always include advanced data analysis algorithms− Not a criticism, just not focus− InfoVis has a more narrow scope− (Some of us actually believe that infovis has/should include those topics)Spring 2009 11CS 4460/7450Academic ContextVisualAnalytics~2005InformationVisualization~1990Analytical reasoningComputational analysisArt-y casualinfovis12CS 4460/7450Spring 20097Visual Analytics• Encompassing, integrated approach to data analysis− Use computational algorithms where helpful− Use human-directed visual exploration where helpful− Not just “Apply A, then apply B” though− Integrate the two tightlySpring 2009 13CS 4460/7450VA-related Areas• Visualization− InfoVis & SciVis• Data management− Databases, information retrieval• Data Analysis− Knowledge discovery, data mining• Perception & cognition• Human-computer interactionSpring 2009 14CS 4460/7450815Visual AnalyticsPartnership Disciplines • Statistics, data representation and statistical graphics• Geospatial and Temporal Sciences• Applied Mathematics• Knowledge representation, management and discovery– Ontology, semantics, NLP, extraction, synthesis, …• Cognitive and Perceptual Sciences• Comunications: Capture, Illustrate and present a message• Decision sciences• Information and Scientific VisualizationAnd far more than homeland security16Data Information KnowledgeAggregationIntegrationOrganizationCognitionPredictionExtractionLink DiscoveryPattern AnalysisGraph MatchingEvidence ExtractionVisual AnalyticsConnect the Connect the DotsDotsContent Content ManagementManagementSynthesisSynthesisAnalysisMultiple Techniques Contribute to Threat Assessment91717Uses Today • Scientific Research• Regulatory and Legal Communities• Intelligence Analysis• DOE and DOD• Market Assessments• Capability Analysis - Resumes• Medical and Pharmaceutical Communities• National Security and Law Enforcement• Information Assurance, Web Analytics• Technology Scanning, Asset and Intellectual Property Management18NVAC• National Visualization and Analytics Center• Started by the Dept. of Homeland Security• Housed at Pacific NW National Lab in Richland, WA• Director: Jim Thomas1019http://nvac.pnl.govhttp://nvac.pnl.gov20Capabilities Desired• Reduce the threat of terrorism through the invention, development, evaluation, and deployment of technology to analyze masses of data in different formats and types, from different sources, with highly varying degrees of confidence levels, within time frames required for rapid decision making.• Better understand the risks and vulnerabilities of our critical infrastructures, trade, ports, and immigration by combining sensor, computational and visual analytics technologies for in-the-field and strategic decision making.• Enable rapid visual communication technology for response teams for clear understanding of the situation assessment and alternate options for response with geospatial, and multi-jurisdictional situations for WME and natural disasters. • Ensure effective information communication methods and technologies throughout DHS missions of analysis, risk, levels of alerts, and response, in unwrappable levels of assessment with evidence and communication styles aimed within audience-centric applications for rapid understanding and action. • Provide an enduring talent base of educated professionals supporting future developments requiring visual communication of integrated information and operational support missions.1121NVAC CapabilityThe NVAC is engaged in 4 critical areas:1. R&D Leadership: providing proactive information analysis and visualization tools for threat vulnerability, assessment, and response 2. Technology Evaluation and Implementation:evaluating new methods and supporting theadoption of new tools for analysts andfirst responders3. Education: training, recruiting our nextgeneration of scientists and engineersthrough internships, faculty visits, jointresearch and curriculum development4. Coordination and Integration: bringingthe best and brightest together fromgovernment, academia, industry andnational laboratories to create visualanalytics tools to prevent terrorism.22Research Agenda• Available at http://nvac.pnl.gov/ in PDF form• At IEEE Press in book