Vo, D.-B. , Lazarova, K., Purchase, H. C. and McCann, M. (2020) Visual Causality: Investigating Graph Layouts for Understanding Causal Processes. In: 11th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams (Diagrams 2020), Tallinn, Estonia, 24-28 Aug 2020, pp. 332-347. ISBN 9783030542481 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-54249-8_26)
|
Text
221524.pdf - Accepted Version 1MB |
Publisher's URL: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030542481
Abstract
Causal diagrams provide a graphical formalism indicating how statistical models can be used to study causal processes. Despite the extensive research on the efficacy of aesthetic graphic layouts, the causal inference domain has not benefited from the results of this research. In this paper, we investigate the performance of graph visualisations for supporting users’ understanding of causal graphs. Two studies were conducted to compare graph visualisations for understanding causation and identifying confounding variables in a causal graph. The first study results suggest that while adjacency matrix layouts are better for understanding direct causation, node-link diagrams are better for understanding mediated causation along causal paths. The second study revealed that node-link layouts, and in particular layouts created by a radial algorithm, are more effective for identifying confounder and collider variables.
| Item Type: | Conference Proceedings |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Purchase, Dr Helen and McCann, Dr Mark and Vo, Dr Dong-Bach |
| Authors: | Vo, D.-B., Lazarova, K., Purchase, H. C., and McCann, M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science |
| ISSN: | 0302-9743 |
| ISBN: | 9783030542481 |
| Published Online: | 17 August 2020 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG |
| First Published: | First published in Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence Diagrammatic Representation and Inference |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
| Related URLs: |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information