Chapter Summaries and Contributions

This section provides a summary of the main research presented in this dissertation (Chapters 3 to 7), and identifies some of their particular contributions to the existing literature.

Interaction design. In Chapter 3, we present one component of the EDIFICE framework, EDIFICE-AP. This component syncretizes a number of foundational concepts related to interaction and complex cognitive activities. These include information space, visual representations, epistemic actions, interactive coupling and complex cognitive activities, levels of interaction, and emergence of complex cognitive activities. Included in the framework is a catalog of 32 fundamental epistemic action patterns. Each action pattern is characterized and examined in terms of its utility in supporting different complex cognitive activities, and potential usage scenarios are identified to provide examples for designers and to stimulate creativity. This framework can greatly support interaction

designers by helping them to become familiar with the process of complex cognitive activities and the role of individual action patterns in performing them.

Adjustable properties of VRs. In Chapter 4, we present a second component of EDIFICE, EDIFICE-PVR. This component presents an ontological analysis of interactive VRs as they are used to support the performance of complex cognitive activities. This constitutes a major contribution to the existing research literature, as such an analysis does not currently exist. As a result of this analysis, 10 essential, relational properties whose values can be adjusted through interaction are identified. Each one is characterized and effects on perceptual and cognitive processing are discussed. Studies that shed light on the effects of a particular property are also discussed. In addition, we demonstrate how, through adjusting the values of these properties, better coordination between humans and tools can be effected, leading to higher-quality performance of complex cognitive

activities.

Interactivity. In Chapter 5, we present a third component of EDIFICE, EDIFICE-IVT. While EDIFICE-AP deals with interaction, EDIFICE-IVT deals with interactivity. The distinction between the two is critical for systematic research and design. Thus, aside from the framework itself, an important contribution of this chapter is an explication of the concept of interactivity. As interactivity is a broad and complex construct, it is categorized it into two levels: micro and macro. Interactivity at the micro level emerges from the structural elements of individual interactions. Interactivity at the macro level emerges from the combination, sequencing, and aggregate properties and relationships of interactions as a user performs an activity. Twelve micro-level interactivity elements and five macro- level interactivity factors are identified and characterized.

Distribution of information processing. In Chapter 6, we present an analysis of the distribution of information processing in human-VT cognitive systems. The chapter identifies and elaborates upon some key concerns, integrates some fundamental concepts, and highlights some current research gaps that require future study. In addition, it builds on earlier conceptualizations of the structure and process of human-information

preliminary explication of the issue, and does not constitute an exhaustive analysis, it is still expected that it will be perceived as a valuable research contribution. The existing literature does not contain anything similar, and this chapter integrates a number of existing concerns in a logical and consistent manner. In doing so, it can promote further research in this area and support high-level design thinking.

Cognitive utility of common visualizations. In Chapter 7, we present 6 categories of VRs, and categorize a number of common techniques according to their structure, function, and cognitive utility. Although this chapter does not present a comprehensive categorization of all existing techniques, it is expected that it will be welcomed as a valuable

contribution to the existing literature. Since at least 2005, researchers have been suggesting this is a much-needed area of research, as comprehensive taxonomies and frameworks in this area can bring order and structure to the growing landscape of

visualization techniques. Moreover, such taxonomies and frameworks can help designers deal with an overwhelming number of visualization techniques by choosing VRs that fit the context. In this chapter we discusses the perceptual and cognitive influences of VRs in each category, with a concerted effort to identify utility for complex cognitive activities.

Figure 9-1 below situates these contributions within the general model of human-

information interaction that was presented in Chapter 3. Although the coherent nature of these contributions has been discussed throughout this dissertation, Figure 9-1 serves to depict their structural and logical relationships in a diagrammatic fashion. This figure should suggest to the reader at least the internal consistency and unity of the

contributions, and should demonstrate how these individual contributions are not isolated research endeavors. It is ultimately in this respect—i.e., the manner in which the

individual components of the dissertation finally come together in a seamless and

complementary fashion—that this dissertation makes its most consequential contribution to the existing design landscape. Designers can engage in a systematic process of design of the different components of CASTs using this integrated and coherent framework. For example, a designer can use Chapter 7 to make principled decisions about how to visually represent their datasets and information spaces (orange in Figure 9-1); Chapter 6 to make

principled decisions about how to distribute the load of information processing in their desired user-tool system (purple in Figure 9-1); Chapter 4 to make principled decisions about adjustability options for their chosen VRs based on the requisite contextual factors (blue in Figure 9-1); Chapter 3 to make principled decisions about which epistemic action patterns to implement to support the intended users’ cognitive activities and to support adjusting the properties of the previously chosen VRs (red in Figure 9-1); and Chapter 5 to make principled decisions about how such interactions (actions and reactions) should be operationalized (green in Figure 9-1).

Figure 9-1 Major aspects of the dissertation as components of a coherent framework.