AUTHOR=Conroy Melanie , Gillmann Christina , Harvey Francis , Mchedlidze Tamara , Fabrikant Sara Irina , Windhager Florian , Scheuermann Gerik , Tangherlini Timothy R. , Warren Christopher N. , Weingart Scott B. , Rehbein Malte , Börner Katy , Elo Kimmo , Jänicke Stefan , Kerren Andreas , Nöllenburg Martin , Dwyer Tim , Eide Øyvind , Kobourov Stephen , Betz Gregor TITLE=Uncertainty in humanities network visualization JOURNAL=Frontiers in Communication VOLUME=8 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2023.1305137 DOI=10.3389/fcomm.2023.1305137 ISSN=2297-900X ABSTRACT=

Network visualization is one of the most widely used tools in digital humanities research. The idea of uncertain or “fuzzy” data is also a core notion in digital humanities research. Yet network visualizations in digital humanities do not always prominently represent uncertainty. In this article, we present a mathematical and logical model of uncertainty as a range of values which can be used in network visualizations. We review some of the principles for visualizing uncertainty of different kinds, visual variables that can be used for representing uncertainty, and how these variables have been used to represent different data types in visualizations drawn from a range of non-humanities fields like climate science and bioinformatics. We then provide examples of two diagrams: one in which the variables displaying degrees of uncertainty are integrated/pinto the graph and one in which glyphs are added to represent data certainty and uncertainty. Finally, we discuss how probabilistic data and what-if scenarios could be used to expand the representation of uncertainty in humanities network visualizations.