Minimalism and the Syntax of Graphs: II. Effects of Graph Backgrounds on Visual Search

Tufte (1983) proposed a measure, the data-ink ratio, and a rule that the data-ink ratio be maximized. The present research tested this rule by examining the effect of the relation between the physical features in the graph indicators and those in the background on graph reading performance. Eighteen participants performed comparison and difference tasks with bar graphs (rectangular indicators) or line graphs (circular indicators). Graphs had no background, a pictorial background containing circles, or a pictorial background containing rectangles. Accuracy was highest for the difference task when the features in the indicators and background of a graph differed. The role of preattentive processing during visual search in graph reading and the pop-out effect that occurs when background and search target features differ are discussed.

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