Psychometrics 101: How to Design, Conduct, and Analyze Perceptual Studies of Computer Graphics Visualization Techniques Tutorial Proposal for VISUALIZATION 2002 Organizer James A. Ferwerda Program of Computer Graphics Cornell University Proposed length Half-day Level Beginner Abstract As the field of Visualization matures, there’s a trend to move away from the use of ad-hoc graphics techniques and toward algorithms that are based on a formal understanding of how people perceive visual representations of information. Psychometric methods from experimental psychology can be used to quantify the relationships between the properties of images and what people perceive. The results of psychometric experiments can be used to create predictive models of visual perception that can guide the development of effective and efficient visualization algorithms and enabling graphical interfaces. This course will provide an introduction to the use of psychometric methods in computer graphics visualization, and will teach attendees how to design perceptual experiments that can be used to advance visualization research and applications. Target audience This course will be of interest to members of the visualization community who want to be able to interpret the results of perception psychology experiments and develop their own perceptual studies of visualization techniques. Presenters James A. Ferwerda Program of Computer Graphics Cornell University Holly Rushmeier IBM TJ Watson Research Center Benjamin Watson Dept. of Computer Science Northwestern University