Mathew Dooley and Stephen Lavin write, “Use of the exploration and visualization techniques examined herein might direct map users to a better understanding of uncertainty about isometric map interpolation through visual, as opposed to numerical, means.”
Article abstract: Isometric mapping, while highly uncertain, continues to be a preferred mapping method for continuous data in many of the physical and social sciences. Isometric method-produced uncertainty refers to the various map representations that result when different methods and/or specifications are used in the mapping process. This paper examines ways to communicate the nature and magnitude of isometric method-produced uncertainty to map readers so that they are encouraged to be uncertain when it is warranted. As a case study, we consider an extensive set of plant hardiness zone maps that result when different interpolation methods and sampling resolutions operate on the same set of data.
Our results show that slightly different choices in the mapping process can result in very different looking isometric maps, and suggest that the manifestations of method-produced uncertainty are not as systematic, or straightforward, as suggested by interpolation accuracy assessments. We then explore the use of two existing visualization techniques, flickering and transparency, to communicate the nature and magnitude of isometric method-produced uncertainty.
Citation: Mathew A. Dooley and Stephen J. Lavin. “Visualizing Method-Produced Uncertainty in Isometric Mapping.” Cartographic Perspectives 56, Winter 2007, pp. 17-36, pp. 74-75 color figures.
Cartographic Perspectives issue #56 (Winter 2007) will be mailed soon to NACIS members. NACIS membership is $42/year ($20 for students) and includes three issues of the journal.
Hi
I’ve been studying maps and cartography in one of my classes. The map shown above seems to look like a choropleth map, so I don’t understand what makes an isometric map different. If you could please reply by Monday it would be great since that is the day of my exam. I have been searching isometric maps and have been getting some odd maps. The maps being shown don’t match the definition I’ve been given, which is “isolines that connect points registering equal values of the items mapped indicate elevation.”