Computer Science Department , PhD Dissertation Defense , Yiren Ding " Assessments, Modeling, and Platforming for Data Visualization Literacy"

Yiren Ding

PhD Candidate 

WPI – Computer Science Department 

Monday, May 11^th 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30AM

Location:  Fuller Labs 141

Zoom Link: https://wpi.zoom.us/j/96907674648

Committee members :

Lane Harrison (Advisor, Computer Science, WPI)

Erin Solovey(Computer Science, WPI)

Stacy Shaw (Learning Science & Technology, WPI)

Alexander Lex (External, Computer Science, University of Utah & TU Graz)

Abstract:

Data visualization communicates information through graphical representations, enabling efficient data exploration and the discovery of insights. Data visualization literacy, the ability to interpret and reason with visualized data, is an important cognitive skill for decision making, communication, and information exploration. However, measuring and improving visualization literacy remains an underdeveloped challenge.

Empirical studies provide a promising way to understand visualization literacy, but they are often difficult to conduct. Visualization stimuli are complex and experimental procedures can vary widely. In addition, traditional analyses that rely on the “average observer” often overlook meaningful differences between individuals, making it difficult to build models that support individual performance.

This dissertation addresses these challenges through four research directions. First, it expands visualization literacy experiments and modeling approaches. Second, it designs assessments and interventions to improve individual visualization literacy. Third, it develops a framework that supports researchers in building flexible visualization empirical studies. Fourth, it designs and evaluates an educational platform that promotes visualization literacy.

The results advance modeling of individual visualization literacy, explore performance modeling in motion based visual channels, introduce feedback mechanisms for visualization experiments, provide tools that simplify empirical study development, and demonstrate the potential of online platforms for supporting visualization literacy learning.