1Visual AnalyticsCS 4460/7450 - Information VisualizationMarch 16, 2010John 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 2010 2CS 4460/7450233AcknowledgmentSlides looking like this provided courtesy of Jim ThomasCS 4460/7450Visual Analytics• A new term for something that is familiar to all of us• Informal description:Using visual representations to help make decisionsSpring 2010 4CS 4460/74503VA vs. InfoVis• Compare & contrastSpring 2010 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 & Cook2005CS 4460/74504Visual Analytics• Not really an “area” per seMore of an “umbrella” notion• Combines multiple areas or disciplines• Ultimately about using data to improve our knowledge and help make decisionsSpring 2010 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 2010 8CS 4460/74505Synergy• Combine strengths of both human and electronic data processingGives a semi-automated analytical processUse strengths from eachFrom KeimSpring 2010 9CS 4460/7450Main ComponentsInteractivevisualizationComputationalanalysisAnalyticalreasoning10CS 4460/7450Spring 20106Back 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 algorithmsNot a criticism, just not focusInfoVis has a more narrow scope(Some of us actually believe that infovis has/should include those topics)Spring 2010 11CS 4460/7450Academic ContextVisualAnalytics~2005InformationVisualization~1990Analytical reasoningComputational analysisArt-y casualinfovis12CS 4460/7450Spring 20107Visual Analytics• Encompassing, integrated approach to data analysisUse computational algorithms where helpfulUse human-directed visual exploration where helpfulNot just “Apply A, then apply B” thoughIntegrate the two tightlySpring 2010 13CS 4460/7450VA-related Areas• VisualizationInfoVis & SciVis• Data managementDatabases, information retrieval• Data AnalysisKnowledge discovery, data mining• Perception & cognition• Human-computer interactionSpring 2010 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 securityCS 4460/745016Data Information KnowledgeAggregationIntegrationOrganizationCognitionPredictionExtractionLink DiscoveryPattern AnalysisGraph MatchingEvidence ExtractionVisual AnalyticsConnect the DotsContent ManagementSynthesisAnalysisMultiple Techniques Contribute to Threat AssessmentCS 4460/745091717Uses 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 ManagementCS 4460/745018Capabilities 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. CS 4460/74501019Research Agenda• Available at http://nvac.pnl.gov/ in PDF form• At IEEE Press in book form• Special thanks to IEEE Technical Committee on Visualization and GraphicsCS 4460/745020Overview of the R&D Agenda• Challenges• Science of Analytical Reasoning• Science of Visual Representations and Interactions• Data Representations and Transformations• Production, Presentation, and Dissemination• Moving Research Into Practice• Positioning for an Enduring SuccessCS 4460/745011Projects• Let‟s look at some of the research projects in this areaSpring 2010 21CS 4460/74502222IN-SPIRE™ Visual Document Analysishttp://in-spire.pnl.govUncovers Common Topics inLarge Document CollectionsEnganging Displays for ExplorationMultiple Query and Search ToolsSupports Real-Time Streaming DataCompatible with Foreign LanguagesShows Trends over TimeA “Thinking Aid” for advanced investigation of unstructured text VideoCS 4460/745012HARVESTSpring 2010 CS 4460/7450