The use of visualisation in the examination of categorical event histories.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of visualization in the examination of categorical event histories. The chapter illustrates a graphic technique for exploring event history data that can lead to important model improvements by changing the substantive conclusions of a data analysis. The scientific data visualization offers a suitable environment to explore such data by allowing the user to examine the whole dataset as well as to explore small subsets of histories in greater detail. The use of Lexis pencils allows the researcher to examine both the changes of state and relationship among the selected time-varying variables of interest. The pencils can be positioned in the three-dimensional space using axes appropriate to the study; however there are some difficulties that need to be addressed. One of the difficulties is the question of user perception such as the best choice of colors to represent changes of state. Another issue is the number of histories and variables that can be visualized usefully in a single display. The chapter provides the details of lexis pencils for event histories.