Perception in Data visualization is more of common sense aspect rather than being a scientific test. There are two parts to it. One being how human perception works when it comes to grasping information for Graph’s and Secondary how efficiently and correctly they do it. A picture is worth a thousand words but if it’s been put graphically and not verbally. Data visualization helps in interpreting the data than a verbal conversation.

As per Cleveland and McGill mind interprets more data when it see’s a graphical representation of a data and its attributes. With the clarity of perception, the quality of data which is being displayed also increases.
One of the main source of knowing people’s perception towards graphs is by presenting graphs and charts as information is widely used in each website. For example, if we compare orkut and Facebook, both came into existence at same time, but Facebook survived the competition even with orkut having an edge of entering first in the market. This tells us two things. The Interface of Facebook and color combination was far superior then orkut’s. The perception of users was positive towards Facebook as compared to orkut.

As per recent studies in science, humans tend to relate things more when pictures and graphical representation in shown rather than reading a theory. Humans have a better understanding to Graphs and by nature it’s common sense. Graphs helps us to find the qualitative data and see the pattern, structure in a very explanatory manner as compared to tables and charts. We can see the underlying patterns and trends through data visualization which is very hard to relate if in a tabular format.

We can understand the regression better if its an a graphical representation as compared to numbers alone.

The Graph and data visulization is of string theory. One of the most complex theories that exists. But with a graphical representation its helps to understand how this complex thing works.Its human perception of data visulization at its best but can not be proven scientifically.(Yea-Seul, K., Reinecke, K., & Hullman, J.)

The below graph informs us about the murder rates all over the USA. It gives a thorough information of what is the pattern. Least safe area’s and safe area’s when it comes to murder.

Refrence Trafton, A( 2011,May 24,)What makes an image memorable? We tend to remember pictures of people much better than wide open spaces Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2011-05-image-tend-pictures-people-wide.html#jCp. Retrieved FROM https://phys.org/news

Kennedy, E. (2016, May 2). 39 studies about human perception in 30 minutes. Retrieved December 6, 2017, from https://medium.com

Yea-Seul, K., Reinecke, K., & Hullman, J. (n.d.). Data Through Others’ Eyes: The Impact of Visualizing Others’ Expectations on Visualization Interpretation. Retrieved December 6, 2017, from http://idl.cs.washington.edu/papers/others-expectations