The Human-Computer System: Towards an Operational Model for Problem Solving

We take a visual analytics approach towards an operational model of the human-computer system. In particular, the approach combines ideas from (human-centered) interactive visualization and cognitive science. The model we derive is a first step on the path to a more complete evaluated and validated model. However, even at this stage important principles can be extracted for visual analytics systems that closely couple automated analyses with human analytic reasoning and decision-making. These improved systems can then be applied effectively to difficult, open-ended problems involving complex data. Another advantage of this approach is that specific gaps are revealed in both visual analytics methods and cognitive science understanding that must be filled in order to create the most effective systems. Related to this is that the resulting visual analytics systems built upon the human-computer model will provide testbeds to further evaluate and extend cognitive science principles.