Use Of Visualization Tools Research Articles

Do Bedside Visual Tools Improve Patient and Caregiver Satisfaction? A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Although common, the impact of low-cost bedside visual tools, such as whiteboards, on patient care is unclear. To systematically review the literature and assess the influence of bedside visual tools on patient satisfaction. Medline, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, and CENTRAL. Studies of adult or pediatric hospitalized patients reporting physician identification, understanding of provider roles, patient-provider communication, and satisfaction with care from the use of visual tools were included. Outcomes were categorized as positive, negative, or neutral based on survey responses for identification, communication, and satisfaction. Two reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of study bias. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Visual tools included whiteboards (n = 4), physician pictures (n = 7), whiteboard and picture (n = 1), electronic medical record-based patient portals (n = 3), and formatted notepads (n = 1). Tools improved patients' identification of providers (13/13 studies). The impact on understanding the providers' roles was largely positive (8/10 studies). Visual tools improved patient-provider communication (4/5 studies) and satisfaction (6/8 studies). In adults, satisfaction varied between positive with the use of whiteboards (2/5 studies) and neutral with pictures (1/5 studies). Satisfaction related to pictures in pediatric patients was either positive (1/3 studies) or neutral (1/3 studies). Differences in tool format (individual pictures vs handouts with pictures of all providers) and study design (randomized vs cohort) may explain variable outcomes. The use of bedside visual tools appears to improve patient recognition of providers and patient-provider communication. Future studies that include better design and outcome assessment are necessary before widespread use can be recommended.

Visualization Forms in the Cross-cultural Collaborative Activities of Design and Development of a Digital Resource for Education

Recent studies have demonstrated the integration of visualization technology to support collaboration and stimulate learning performance. The use of visualization tools during the collaborative activities of international students is a worthy topic for further exploration. Based on grounded and activity theories, this research uses observation and qualitative behavior analysis to determine how participants use visualization tools to distinguish the behavior features of learners and to explain the role of these tools in a telecollaborative project. The analysis distinguishes three major types of visualization forms: shaped, diagramed, and tabled presentations, which serve particular epistemic and social demands of collaborative tasks. Findings indicated that visualization forms and tools can enhance collaborative activities by helping international members visualize their thoughts, comprehension, and discussion, although they use different languages and are from diverse cultures. Further research can develop new and effective methods for collaboration and learning using visual support tools.

The Use of Visual Tools in the Academic Research Process: A Literature Review

An academic librarian, especially one who works primarily in a research consultation capacity, often encounters individuals who are seeking in-depth help with research projects that they struggle to explain. The number of concepts, interdependencies and assumptions involved in research projects today can make them difficult to define and discuss with other people. The multidisciplinary nature and globalization of many areas of research is forcing researchers to not only discuss, but to collaborate with many others from different academic backgrounds and disparate physical locations. Many researchers struggle with project paralysis at various points along the way as they attempt to manage both the myriad of details and the bigger picture relationships and implications of their project.A number of visual tools including concept mappers and mind mappers are well suited to help advanced students, faculty, researchers and librarians to organize the ideas and knowledge throughout the various stages of complex research, from envisioning an idea to the early stages of actively researching and documenting research findings. This paper will discuss the potential uses of visual mapping tools and review the current state of academic literature surrounding the topics of mind mapping and concept mapping.

Visualization Based Intelligent Tutor System to Improve Study of Computer Algorithms

Algorithms are like road maps for accomplishing a given well-defined task. It may be regarded as a backbone to the study of computer science. A Visualisation based intelligent tutor system (ITS) is a computer system that aims to provide immediate and customized instruction to learners, usually without intervention from a human teacher. This instructional strategy have the common goal of enabling learning in a meaningful and effective manner as students can 'see' whats happening with each problem and get instruction for each next move. This environment provides smart way of learning through the website visualgo.net; a visualization based intelligent tutor system provides a mean for active leaning with previous knowledge of the subject. This tool explains the step wise working of algorithms along with visualization. It helps the learner to clarify concepts more precisely. The Control group and experimental group results are presented in this paper partially; supporting the effect of the usage of the visualisation based intelligent tutor system on student learning. The study shows that the use of visualization tool enhances the students learning ability and improves their concentration and interest in the subject. The test results are also improved accordingly.

Visualizing Our Way through Theory Building

Visualization is fundamental to how we experience and understand the world. Although we make ample use of visual tools in our role of educators, we tend to overlook the potential use of visualization techniques in our research. In this essay, I illustrate how visualization can be fundamental to analyzing and making sense of qualitative data.

Comparing and integrating the NUSAP notational scheme with an uncertainty based risk perspective

Efforts to develop approaches to represent uncertainty in risk assessments follow both quantitative and semi-quantitative lines, where semi-quantitative is here to be understood as quantitative representation supplemented with qualitative assessments of aspects not sufficiently and appropriately captured by the produced numbers. The latter type of approach can be referred to as extended quantitative risk assessment and has parallels with the so-called NUSAP notational scheme of uncertainty and quality in science for policy. In the present paper we analyse the parallels that exist between NUSAP and a general description of risk as conceptualised in the recently published Society for Risk Analysis glossary. In addition to obtaining insights at the fundamental level into different approaches to describe risk, an objective is to explore whether aspects from the NUSAP notational scheme can be used within the context of and to improve current methods for extended quantitative risk assessment consistent with the general description of risk. We conclude that there are strong parallels between the two approaches and that particularly the use of visualisation tools in NUSAP can advantageously be utilised in extended quantitative risk assessments. A short example from the oil and gas industry is used to illustrate how this can be done.

A visualization tool for the kernel-driven model with improved ability in data analysis and kernel assessment

The semi-empirical, kernel-driven Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model has been widely used for many aspects of remote sensing. With the development of the kernel-driven model, there is a need to further assess the performance of newly developed kernels. The use of visualization tools can facilitate the analysis of model results and the assessment of newly developed kernels. However, the current version of the kernel-driven model does not contain a visualization function. In this study, a user-friendly visualization tool, named MaKeMAT, was developed specifically for the kernel-driven model. The POLDER-3 and CAR BRDF datasets were used to demonstrate the applicability of MaKeMAT. The visualization of inputted multi-angle measurements enhances understanding of multi-angle measurements and allows the choice of measurements with good representativeness. The visualization of modeling results facilitates the assessment of newly developed kernels. The study shows that the visualization tool MaKeMAT can promote the widespread application of the kernel-driven model.

Beyond engagement in working with children in eight Nairobi slums to address safety, security, and housing: Digital tools for policy and community dialogue

ABSTRACTThis article studies the ways in which researchers working in the area of health and social research and using participatory visual methods might extend the reach of participant-generated creations such as photos and drawings to engage community leaders and policy-makers. Framed as going ‘beyond engagement’, the article explores the idea of the production of researcher-led digital dialogue tools, focusing on one example, based on a series of visual arts-based workshops with children from eight slums in Nairobi addressing issues of safety, security, and well-being in relation to housing. The authors conclude that there is a need for researchers to embark upon the use of visual tools to expand the life and use of visual productions, and in particular to ensure meaningful participation of communities in social change.

Improving archaeological prospection using localized UAVs assisted photogrammetry: An example from the Roman Gold District of the Eria River Valley (NW Spain)

This paper reports the use of integrated geomatic applications based on LiDAR data and UAV assisted photogrammetry for the identification, description and interpretation of ancient Roman gold mining sites in Northwest Spain. The study compares Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with different acquisition methods, resolution and accuracy for analysis of archaeological remains. DEMs have been analysed using different visualization tools, such as principal component analysis, local relief factor, multiple hillshading, sky-view-factor and openness in order to improve visualization of the models, aiming at the identification of archaeological features. Our study suggests that principal component analysis, openness and multiple hillshading were the most effective tools for identification of archaeological remains. The results indicate that 5m LiDAR provides insufficient resolution to perform detailed analysis and accurate description of the hydraulic systems, but the use of visualization tools improved the localization and description of remains. The 1m resolution LiDAR data highly improve the resolution and capabilities for recognition and interpretation of canals, water reservoirs and mining zones. In addition, the use of UAV technology for smaller detailed surveys has shown a powerful capacity to reduce costs and time-consuming processing calculations, gaining in data resolution. The implementation of .LAZ files allows classification and analysis of point clouds yielding similar results to LiDAR technology in vegetated areas. However, unlike airborne lasers, its application is mainly restricted to small survey areas. Our study has focused on two areas characterized by a diversity of roman gold mining elements preserved in the landscape, such as hydraulic systems (canals and water reservoirs, drained canals and other anthropic elements) and mining areas along the Eria River Valley Gold District. The work has been implemented with the creation of 3D virtual reconstructions of the selected features, which can help to visualize different elements of the archaeological record to the general public, providing a useful tool for preservation and display of cultural heritage.

Understanding Adherence and Prescription Patterns Using Large-Scale Claims Data.

Advanced computing capabilities and novel visual analytics tools now allow us to move beyond the traditional cross-sectional summaries to analyze longitudinal prescription patterns and the impact of study design decisions. For example, design decisions regarding gaps and overlaps in prescription fill data are necessary for measuring adherence using prescription claims data. However, little is known regarding the impact of these decisions on measures of medication possession (e.g., medication possession ratio). The goal of the study was to demonstrate the use of visualization tools for pattern discovery, hypothesis generation, and study design. We utilized EventFlow, a novel discrete event sequence visualization software, to investigate patterns of prescription fills, including gaps and overlaps, utilizing large-scale healthcare claims data. The study analyzes data of individuals who had at least two prescriptions for one of five hypertension medication classes: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. We focused on those members initiating therapy with diuretics (19.2%) who may have concurrently or subsequently take drugs in other classes as well. We identified longitudinal patterns in prescription fills for antihypertensive medications, investigated the implications of decisions regarding gap length and overlaps, and examined the impact on the average cost and adherence of the initial treatment episode. A total of 790,609 individuals are included in the study sample, 19.2% (N = 151,566) of whom started on diuretics first during the study period. The average age was 52.4 years and 53.1% of the population was female. When the allowable gap was zero, 34% of the population had continuous coverage and the average length of continuous coverage was 2 months. In contrast, when the allowable gap was 30 days, 69% of the population showed a single continuous prescription period with an average length of 5 months. The average prescription cost of the period of continuous coverage ranged from US$3.44 (when the maximum gap was 0 day) to US$9.08 (when the maximum gap was 30 days). Results were less impactful when considering overlaps. This proof-of-concept study illustrates the use of visual analytics tools in characterizing longitudinal medication possession. We find that prescription patterns and associated prescription costs are more influenced by allowable gap lengths than by definitions and treatment of overlap. Research using medication gaps and overlaps to define medication possession in prescription claims data should pay particular attention to the definition and use of gap lengths.

Expanding Visual Criminology: Definitions, Data and Dissemination

There is increasing interest in the use of visual tools and techniques in criminology. Many efforts are based on cultural and critical assumptions and focus on the spectacle of images. However, visual criminology may offer a wider variety of options to produce, frame and disseminate large amounts of information in more accessible ways. Of specific interest in this article is the potential for visual criminology to better present complex research findings. To this end, we discuss visual criminological efforts that have been used to engage audiences through social media. We replicate and consider key info-graphics on issues such as mass incarceration, ‘stop and frisk’, and police killings. Finally, we consider some potential problems for those interested in expanding visual approaches in criminology, and present six general propositions to be tested and further explored.

Collecting standardized urban health indicator data at an individual level for school-aged children living in urban areas: methods from EURO-URHIS 2.

Measuring health and its determinants in urban populations is essential to effectively develop public health policies maximizing health gain within this context. Adolescents are important in this regard given the origins of leading causes of morbidity and mortality develop pre-adulthood. Comprehensive, accurate and comparable information on adolescent urban health indicators from heterogeneous urban contexts is an important challenge. EURO-URHIS 2 aimed to develop standardized tools and methodologies collecting data from adolescents across heterogenous European urban contexts. Questionnaires were developed including (i) comprehensive assessment of urban health indicators from 7 pre-defined domains, (ii) use of previously validated questions from a literature review and other European surveys, (iii) translation/back-translation into European languages and (iv) piloting. Urban area-specific data collection methodologies were established through literature review, consultation and piloting. School-based surveys of 14-16-year olds (400-800 per urban area) were conducted in 13 European countries (33 urban areas). Participation rates were high (80-100%) for students from schools taking part in the surveys from all urban areas, and data quality was generally good (low rates of missing/spoiled data). Overall, 13 850 questionnaires were collected, coded and entered for EURO-URHIS 2. Dissemination included production of urban area health profiles (allowing benchmarking for a number of important public health indicators in young people) and use of visualization tools as part of the EURO-URHIS 2 project. EURO-URHIS 2 has developed standardized survey tools and methodologies for assessing key measures of health and its determinants in adolescents from heterogenous urban contexts and demonstrated the utility of this data to public health practitioners and policy makers.

Academic Achievement in Computer Programming Instruction and Effects of the Use of Visualization Tools; at the Elementary School Level

Academic Achievement in Computer Programming Instruction and Effects of the Use of Visualization Tools; at the Elementary School Level

Visualising the Emigrant Letter

Emigrant letters are a rich resource for teaching and learning, transcending disciplinary and methodological boundaries. They are expressive and indicative of correspondents’ identities, values, preoccupations and beliefs, providing a powerful source of information about migration issues and shedding light on processes of language change and variation. Although many emigrant letter collections have now been digitised, not all are properly archived; some are reduplicated and others are in danger of being lost. The documentation and preservation of such letters is, therefore, a particularly pressing need. In 2013, an AHRC research network was established to look at ways of improving interconnectivity between digital collections of migrant correspondence. This paper reports on work carried out so far, focusing on how emigrant letter projects might move beyond the digitisation stage to exploit text content and enhance usability and searchability through the use of visualisation tools.

Data Visualization in Sociology.

Visualizing data is central to social scientific work. Despite a promising early beginning, sociology has lagged in the use of visual tools. We review the history and current state of visualization in sociology. Using examples throughout, we discuss recent developments in ways of seeing raw data and presenting the results of statistical modeling. We make a general distinction between those methods and tools designed to help explore datasets, and those designed to help present results to others. We argue that recent advances should be seen as part of a broader shift towards easier sharing of the code and data both between researchers and with wider publics, and encourage practitioners and publishers to work toward a higher and more consistent standard for the graphical display of sociological insights.

Assessing lean’s impact on operational integration

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to establish a major project to create new insights on lean in the specific Norwegian context and further build on international research. Lean is relevant for the manufacturing industry, service, finance, healthcare and public sectors in Norway. There are, however, still many research questions to be raised.Design/methodology/approach– Two case companies have been studied, to identify what these companies have experienced as important enablers and disablers in their lean implementation process. The following research questions will be addressed: In what way(s) does lean contribute to greater operational integration? In what way(s) does lean hinder operational integration? The research methodology is based on semistructured interviews with selected persons from different levels within the companies.Findings– From this study, several common contributing factors have been found: the importance of commitment and presence on the part of management, use of visualization tools for information exchange, formal meeting arenas and cross-functional work. Furthermore, the companies perceived the following as hindrances to achieving operational integration: insufficient involvement in implementation and design of tools, lack of commitment within the management, lack of customer focus, working in functional silos, lack of dissemination within the company and distance.Practical implications– Based on empirical findings from initial mapping of each company’s experiences with operational integration after a lean implementation process, recommendations on how to achieve better operational integration will be presented.Originality/value– The research initiative provides knowledge experience from lean implementation processes in two different Norwegian case companies within different sectors.

Families Can Do Coping: Parenting Skills in the Early Years

Parenting programmes are very much a part of the international landscape in Western communities. Coping skills provide a useful resource for parents and children in managing their everyday lives, both together and individually. Following a 5-year research programme with parents and children in an early years setting, Families Can Do Coping was developed as a comprehensive parenting skills programme that incorporates parents’ understanding of their own coping and that of their children. The programme was delivered with the twin aims of teaching communication and coping skills to parents. In 2012, five 2-hour sessions were delivered to 19 parents in an Early Learning Centre at the University of Melbourne. The five-session programme focused on providing parents with information regarding coping skills and the use of visual tools to assist parents to engage with their children in conversations about coping. Additionally, parents completed a pencil-and-paper coping skills evaluation for their child. The programme outcomes included perceptions of parents’ enhancement of their wellbeing, and development of proactive and productive coping skills in both parents and children. After a 3-month period three parents provided feedback on their progress and use of the new tools and strategies for maintaining helpful parenting.

Considerations on the Use of Visual Tools in Planning Processes: A Brazilian Experience

This paper assumes that citizen participation does not really happen in relation to current urban planning practice for a number of reasons. First of all, many planning processes do not involve citizens as ideally they should. Secondly, although if they involve citizens, many planning processes are not able to communicate them the actual questions to deal with. Thirdly, many citizens have not a sufficient knowledge or ability to understand the planning issues. Therefore, the paper supposes that the use of visual interfaces can collaborate to organize data and improve the involvement of citizens within planning processes. Focusing on the Brazilian reality, the case study present two selected areas with great relevance for the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte’s (MRBH): Santa Lucia, within the municipality of Belo Horizonte, and the neighborhood Vale do Sereno, in the Nova Lima municipality. The areas result under a great pressure and intensification of anthropic interventions, containing consolidated occupancy. The example on the two areas shows how urban planning still lacks a systematization of data. This also implies that the two municipalities not consider the communication of information as a priority for developing cities. Although current information technology can offer advantages for implementing the planning processes though visual languages, harder efforts are required to build the communication process between people, including communication as part of the planning process.

Preservice chemistry teachers' beliefs about visualizations in science teaching in two countries: Brazil and Portugal

In this work, the beliefs of undergraduate students from Brazil and Portugal on the use of visual tools in teaching chemistry, which have increasingly been introduced in the areas of teaching/learning in these two countries in recent years, have been investigated. An interpretative analysis of the results shows little familiarity of students with specific points of the theme, beyond a poor conception about the way the visualization tools influence the construction of scientific concepts.

IAPM for Asset Health Management: New Benchmarks for Resource Industries

This paper examines how advanced asset health management is integral for organisations to operate safely, effectively and profitably. Asset health management is particularly important in the resources sector and in remote operating centres which rely on operators viewing and analysing masses of data through the use of visual tools and graphics. This paper explores the importance of intelligent asset performance management (iAPM), an automated system, integrating disparate data and deploying advanced monitoring and diagnosis algorithms to continuously evaluate asset performance (equipment, process, control and infrastructure) so that every aspect of an organisation’s asset condition is completely visible and available to all users online in near real time across the entire supply chain. iAPM allows asset degradation and equipment breakdown to be detected early, predicting and preventing sub-optimal operation before it impacts production and safety. Results are targeted at each stakeholder group (executive, analytical and operational) and integrated into daily operational workflow. Examples of successful implementations of iAPM systems will be provided from within mineral processing operations, utilities, resources and rail.