Visualization-based information retrieval on the Web

The application of visualization techniques to information retrieval (IR) has resulted in the development of innovative systems and interfaces that are now available for public use. Visualization tools have emerged in research environments and more recently on the Web to retrieve information. Questions arise in regard to the utility of Web-based IR visualization tools for assisting users not only in manipulating search output, but also in managing the information retrieval process. To understand how Web-based visualization tools enable visual information retrieval, this article reviews some of the human perceptual theory behind the graphical interface of information visualization systems, analyzes iconic representations and information density on visualization displays, and examines information retrieval tasks that have been used in visualization system user research. This article is timely since it addresses new technologies for Web information retrieval and discusses future information visualization user research directions.