Visualization and the process of modeling

Abstract

Models are artifacts used to better understand our world. In the context of mining data to create knowledge, the modeler is often faced with discovering and understanding relationships in data that have no apparent analog in the laws of physical science. Much of these data are increasingly abstract; not directly related to the physical, perceivable world. The use of sketches and diagrams as aids in problem solving and as a means of communication is as old as recorded history. Can visualization help us not only to discover the patterns and relationships in these data, but also to use newly discovered knowledge to build computational models?