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10/23/2001 Archived Entry: "23-October-2001 -- Representations and Perceived Information Architecture (PIA)"

Representations and Perceived Information Architecture (PIA) (WebWord) -- "This article discusses two key ideas. First, it briefly outlines four ways to represent the same information. Second, it provides a high level overview of Perceived Information Architecture."

Replies: 6 comments

Nice approach John. But letting people visually represent mental models or knowledge structures is a fairly established form of knowledge elicitation in cognitive and educational psychology. I was involved in a number of projects that used concept maps and other forms of representation for these kinds of purposes.

Nevertheless, we need more people who start to apply existing tools in creative ways to support and enhance human centered design efforts.

Sebastian Fiedler

Posted by Sebastian Fiedler @ 10/23/2001 05:03 AM EST

Sebastian,

You are correct. Letting people graphically represent their mental models is well established in cognitive and educational psychology. However, to our knowledge, this approach has basically gone unnoticed by usability professionals.

We are trying to raise awareness. More importantly, we are using techniques that answer some of the complex questions that our clients are asking.

Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 10/23/2001 09:20 AM EST

John,

... and the awareness raising is what you should be commended for. Well, plus your creative application... but I hope that came across anyway.

I just thought it would be helpful to point out where the original stuff comes from. Just in case someone feels encouraged to go out digging for more of it...

I strongly believe that the usability community could learn a lot from trying out more of the tools and procedures from the Psychologist's tool box.

Posted by Sebastian Fiedler @ 10/23/2001 10:55 AM EST

John,

Usability certainly needs more press and visability. This is difficult to do in the UK context at least where there is a definite absence of a unifying and benevolent organisation to represent the industry and the interests of usability companies and professionals as a whole.

Regards
Frank

Posted by Frank Gaine @ 10/23/2001 11:25 AM EST

Frank

With regards to a 'unifying and benevolent organisation' in the UK. I would like to point out that although it is in its infancy still, the UK Chapter of the UPA (www.ukupa.org.uk) is aiming to do exactly this. We would welcome your thoughts or assitance in helping to do this.

Damian

Posted by Damian Rees @ 10/24/2001 07:26 AM EST

I would like to respectfully dispute the assertion that all four examples represent exactly the same information. Rather, the first three models represent the same information and the fourth represents different (albeit related) information.

The first three represent relationships between related "classes" or "sets" rather than specific instances. Numbers have been used to represent the sets, but the numbers are not meant to be taken literally. You could have used letters or abstract symbols instead.

The fourth represents a specific instance with specific values for the variables used in the first three examples. A value is not the same as a variable.

To create an "English description" that matches the first three would be something like:

'Group "1" includes sub-groups. Two of these are groups "2" and "3". "4" and "5" are in sub-group "2". "6" and "7" are in sub-group "3". "8", "9" and "10" can be found in sub-group "7".'

Or so it seems to me. YMMV, of course.

Posted by David Tallan @ 10/24/2001 01:02 PM EST

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