@article{433, keywords = {visualization theory, terminology, task taxonomy, task frameworks, objective, interaction, design guidelines, Action}, author = {Alexander Rind and Wolfgang Aigner and Markus Wagner and Silvia Miksch and Tim Lammarsch}, title = {Task Cube: A Three-Dimensional Conceptual Space of User Tasks in Visualization Design and Evaluation}, abstract = {User tasks play a pivotal role in visualization design and evaluation. However, the term ‘task’ is used ambiguously within the visualization community. In this article, we critically analyze the relevant literature and systematically compare definitions for ‘task’ and the usage of related terminology. In doing so, we identify a three-dimensional conceptual space of user tasks in visualization, referred to as task cube, and the more precise concepts ‘objective’ and ‘action’ for tasks. We illustrate the usage of the task cube’s dimensions in an objective-driven visualization process, in different scenarios of visualization design and evaluation, and for comparing categorizations of abstract tasks. Thus, visualization researchers can better formulate their contributions which helps advance visualization as a whole. }, year = {2016}, journal = {Information Visualization}, volume = {15}, pages = { 288-300}, month = {10/2016}, url = {http://mc.fhstp.ac.at/sites/default/files/publications/rind_2016_ivi_task-cube_postprint.pdf}, doi = {10.1177/1473871615621602}, note = {Appears in Special Section on Evaluation, Guest Editors: Heidi Lam, Petra Isenberg, Tobias Isenberg and Michael Sedlmair Published online before print December 27, 2015. Print version September 9, 2016. }, }