Title: Learning from Architects: The Difference between
Knowledge Visualization and Information Visualization
Author: Remo A Burkhard
Year: 2004
Abstract: This paper focuses on an aspect which has been
neglected, but which is decisive: The transfer of knowledge to different
stakeholders; especially the transfer of insights derived from information
visualization tools. In knowledge management the transfer of knowledge is a
core process, which can be improved by using our innate abilities to process
visual representations. The potential of visualizations are manifold. But
business managers miss a holistic framework on the use of visualization methods
for information exploration and communication tasks. This paper analyzes how
architects use visualizations to amplify cognition
and to transfer knowledge. It introduces a mediating
framework that brings together isolated research directions and defines the new
research focus knowledge visualization. Knowledge visualization examines the
use of visualizations for the transfer of knowledge between at least two
peoples. We found that the new focus is decisive and has implications for
researchers in information visualization and knowledge management.
My notes: The writing quality of this paper is well above
average, I would recommend it to every graduate student (not only information
visualisation scholars) as an example of weel organised, original and clear
academic writing. It is also a very neat example of a cross-disciplinary work:
bridging ideas from one field onto another. After analysing sketches, models
and computer representations, the author builds a framework for "knowledge
representations": knowledge type, recipient and visualisation type. This
framework is (consistently with the area) represented as a Cube where the
researcher can select the target values along the three dimensions.
