Zbyněk Štěrba

Cartographic Design and Usability of Visual Variables for Linear Features

This article addresses the measurement and assessment of response times and error rates in map-reading tasks relative to various modes of linear feature visualization. In a between-subject design study, participants completed a set of map-reading tasks generated by approaches to a traffic problem. These entailed quick and correct decoding of graphically represented quantitative and qualitative spatial information. The tasks first involved the decoding of one graphic variable, then of two variables simultaneously. While alternative representations of qualitative information included colour hue and symbol shape, the quantitative information was communicated either through symbol size or colour value. In bivariate tasks, quantitative and qualitative graphical elements were combined in a single display. Individual differences were also examined. The concept of cognitive style partially explains the variability in people’s perception and thinking, describing individual preferences in object representation and problem-solving strategies. The data obtained in the experiment suggest that alternative forms of visualization may have different impacts on performance in map-reading tasks: colour hue and size proved more efficient in communicating information than shape and colour value. Apart from this, it was shown that individual facets of cognitive style may affect task performance, depending on the type of visualization employed.

Colour Contrast in Cartographic Works Using the Principles of Johannes Itten

Abstract Colour is considered a key means of expression for use in cartographic works. This is because colours and the relations among them influence not only the aesthetic impression a map creates but also its overall utility. In addition to Newton’s spectral colour theory, today theories with origins in artistic technique are gaining ground in cartography. This article introduces J. Itten’s colour theory (first published in 1961 in The Art of Colour [Kunst der Farbe]) with special attention given to his concept of seven colour contrasts. The article also discusses the suitability and unsuitability of their application in practical cartography, and it contributes original examples employing thematic maps, a discipline with broad possibilities for the application of these inventive methods by today’s mapmakers.

Selected Issues of Experimental Testing in Cartography

Kniha sestava ze dvou hlavnich casti. V prvni casti jsou představeny teoreticke koncepty ve vztahu k individualnim rozdilům uživatelů a výzkumu uživatelske přivětivosti. Druha caast je zaměřena na představeni software Hypothesis

Human-Computer Interaction in Real-3D and Pseudo-3D Cartographic Visualization: A Comparative Study

This chapter summarizes the results of an experiment performed as basic research on the three-dimensional (3D) display of geographical information using two alternative control devices (a Wii remote controller and a mouse). The aim was to explore the influence of a specific type of visualization on the human understanding of depicted geographical information and to discover which type of display—real 3D or pseudo-3D combined with a Wii remote controller and a computer mouse—can be considered better for working with geographical bases. The research was set up as an exploratory analysis and examined the performance of 17 participants. As expected, there were differences in the results between the types of visualization and devices used. Real-3D visualization appeared faster but less suitable for the successful management of tasks than the pseudo-3D visualization. We found no significant differences based on the controlling device when elaborating tasks, but we believe the Wii remote controller device to be a promising device for future studies.

Cross-cultural differences in figure–ground perception of cartographic stimuli

ABSTRACT This article reports on an empirical study investigating cultural differences in the visuospatial perception and cognition of qualitative point symbols shown on reference maps. We developed two informationally equivalent symbol sets depicted on identical reference maps that were shown to Czech and Chinese map readers. The symbols varied in visual contrast with respect to the base map. Our empirical results suggest the existence of cultural influences on map reading, but not in the predicted direction based on the previous cross-cultural studies. Our findings stress the importance of considering the cultural background of map readers, especially when designing reference maps aimed for global online use.

Evaluating Cartographic Visualizations Using Blank Maps And From the Perspective of the Individual Differences: A Pilot Study

The paper concerns a possible method for evaluating cartographic visualizations, with the emphasis on the perspective of the individual differences. Empirical usability testing of a newly proposed cartographic visualization is always an important step in the map-making process. This paper proposes an experimental design for testing the usability of selected cartographic visualizations by using a blank map. A standard topographic map and a specific context map proposed for transport-related tasks were used for the pilot study to examine the proposed testing methodology. An interactive experiment was designed to test differences in perception between both map variants. During the experiment, designed with the MUTEP application, two randomly chosen groups of users were asked to perform several tasks with a map related to object localization or wayfinding. In the final part of the study, respondents were asked to mark a number of locations on a blank map. All information regarding the responses was entered into a database. In the second phase, the same test was conducted using an eye-tracking tool to observe the elementary cognitive strategies of the respondents. Differences in problem-solving strategies were found with respect to both tested visualizations.