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Exploratory Visualization

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of GIS

Synonyms

Geovisualization; Exploratory cartography; Scientific visualization; Information visualization; Visual data exploration; Visual thinking; Private visual thinking; Reexpression; Temporal ordered space matrix

Definition

Exploratory visualization is the process that involves a discipline expert creating maps and other graphics while dealing with relatively unknown geographic data. These maps are generally for a single purpose, and function as an expedient in the expert's attempt to solve a (geo) problem. While dealing with the data, the expert should be able to rely on cartographic expertise, which allows her or him to look at the data from different perspectives to create a fresh view on the data. As such, the maps and graphics, which should be available in an interactive viewing environment, stimulate the visual thinking of the expert and should support (spatial) decision making.

Historical Background

Visualization means to make visible. Traditionally the...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geo-Information Processing, ITC – International Institute for Geoinformation and Earth Observation, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Menno-Jan Kraak

Authors
  1. Menno-Jan Kraak
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Shashi Shekhar (McKnight Distinguished University Professor) (McKnight Distinguished University Professor)

  2. Management Science and Information Systems Department, Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Hui Xiong (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag

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Kraak, MJ. (2008). Exploratory Visualization. In: Shekhar, S., Xiong, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of GIS. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35973-1_397

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