Some Implications of Interactive Graphic Computer Systems for Data Analysis and Statistics

“Current facilities for computing, display, and real time interaction have developed substantially beyond our understanding of how to use them effectively in data analysis. Current limitations in data analysis technology are mainly in explicating and organizing the science of data analysis and of defining and implementing the necessary associated computer software. “From the statistical side of the discipline must come: broader, more permissive, empirically oriented concepts and theories; more inclusive and realistic classifications of objectives; more effective and coherent classifications of useful techniques; research toward more empirically informative techniques that will provide both exposure and summarization; more understanding and research on techniques of reforming and re-expressing variables; deeper insight into the psychology of graphs, pictures and output formats in general, both for interaction and for communication; progress toward standardized data structures of great flexibility and compr...